SECURE Synonyms: 373 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'secure' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of secure are assure , ensure , and insure . While all these words mean "to make a thing or person sure," secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss. // sent reinforcements to secure their position

Q: When can 'assure' be used instead of 'secure'?

The words assure and secure can be used in similar contexts, but assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind. // I assure you that no harm will be done

Q: How does the word 'ensure' relate to other synonyms for 'secure'?

Ensure , insure , and assure are interchangeable in many contexts where they indicate the making certain or inevitable of an outcome, but ensure may imply a virtual guarantee. // the government has ensured the safety of the refugees

Q: When is it sensible to use 'insure' instead of 'secure'?

While the synonyms insure and secure are close in meaning, insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand. // careful planning should insure the success of the party

secure 1 of 2

verb

Definition of secure

as in to protect

to drive danger or attack away from sent troops to secure the city

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to ensure

to make sure, certain, or safe a retirement account that will help to secure our future

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to fasten

to put securely in place or in a desired position candidates for admission are asked to secure a recent photo to their application forms

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to win

to receive as return for effort finally secured a job after sending out dozens of applications

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

secure

2 of 2

adjective

si-ˈkyu̇r

as in confident

having or showing great faith in oneself or one's abilities he's so secure about winning the marathon that he's practically spent the prize money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in safe

not exposed to the threat of loss or injury the fortress was thought to be secure against attack

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in protecting

providing safety escaped to a secure location

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in reliable

worthy of one's trust a fund that should provide them with a secure income in their retirement

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word secure distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of secure are assure, ensure, and insure. While all these words mean "to make a thing or person sure," secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

sent reinforcements to secure their position

When can assure be used instead of secure?

The words assure and secure can be used in similar contexts, but assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

I assure you that no harm will be done

How does the word ensure relate to other synonyms for secure?

Ensure, insure, and assure are interchangeable in many contexts where they indicate the making certain or inevitable of an outcome, but ensure may imply a virtual guarantee.

the government has ensured the safety of the refugees

When is it sensible to use insure instead of secure?

While the synonyms insure and secure are close in meaning, insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand.

careful planning should insure the success of the party

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of secure

Verb

On Thursday, however, the day Ahmed entered custody in Chicago, prosecutors secured a new indictment from a different grand jury that could stave off any further inquiry. — Jason Meisner, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026 The project has since woven through City Hall and local economic development agencies, including securing incentives through the City Council and Port KC. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The unusual agreement could help companies like Chevron and others feel more secure and confident making long-term investments in a country with a shaky history. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026 For example, reactor-grade uranium, the fuel needed for a nuclear chain reaction, is hard to obtain and secure. — Donald Keough, Christian Science Monitor, 2 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for secure

Recent Examples of Synonyms for secure

Verb

Play was suspended on the outside courts, but the roofs could close on Armstrong and Ashe, protecting Bublik and Wolf, and Novak Djokovic and Mariano Navone, from the elements.

— Rebecca Tauber, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Families who answer those questions early protect both generations.

— Jon Sabes, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026

Definition of protect

Verb

Place a clear plastic bag over the pot, ensuring that the plastic isn’t touching the plant (use chopsticks to help elevate the bag if necessary).

— Alexandra Jones, The Spruce, 30 Aug. 2026
This thoughtful evolution ensures this year’s NBC ceremony and future broadcasts remain deeply engaging and tailored to the television audience.

— Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of ensure

Verb

In the Sacramento City Unified School District, all students are required to wear and fasten a helmet.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 31 Aug. 2026
With his snug corset and unsubtle make-up and minuscule shorts to which are fastened fishnet stockings, Curry’s kooky scientist with a penchant for brewing male lovers in his lab is one of pop-culture’s unlikely icons.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of fasten

Verb

The contestants will have to design a wedding dress that showcases their style, and the winning design will be produced and sold by David’s Bridal.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
In the final moments of the game, Chad scores the game-winning touchdown, but a penalty sets them back with just two seconds left on the clock.

— Tanya Fedak, Variety, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of win

Adjective

Other than that, he’s never seemed confident that the future will turn out all right, although he’s kept on working out his worries onscreen, forever hunting for flakes of hope in the rubble.

— Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026
Coyote first hoodwinks and then forces Kevin into his lawsuit plans, taking Acme to task in a way the corporation, confident in its imperviousness, finds laughable.

— Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of confident

Adjective

But rising bond yields make safer government debt more attractive relative to stocks, while also reducing the present value investors assign to companies’ future earnings.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026
The pill was found to not only be safe but also reduce tumor burden in more than 30% of patients, according to the study published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.

— Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of safe

Adjective

That capability matters because HAPS platforms must maintain a tight operating area to provide reliable coverage.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 3 Sep. 2026
Central to this was the control exerted in central midfield, an area patrolled by Ben Whiteman and the ever-reliable Matty James.

— Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of reliable

Verb

Alonso is leaning into Chelsea’s strength — the transitional attacking power of his front three — and working on protecting the weakness, giving up too much space for his team to defend.

— Jon Mackenzie, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also defended the decision to increase bond purchases earlier last month, after investor Stanley Druckenmiller criticized the move.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of defend

Browse Nearby Words

seculars

secure

secured

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Secure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/secure. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of secure

verb

adjective

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes