Synonyms for insecurity
Most common
precariousness instability vulnerability uncertainty self-doubt
Synonyms by meaning
Noun
1. Precariousness — A lack of security; uncertainty. The state of being subject to danger (physical, economic, or otherwise)
precariousness, instability, vulnerability, uncertainty, risk, danger, peril, hazard, exposure, precarity, insecureness, jeopardy
2. Self-doubt — A lack of security; uncertainty. A lack of confidence in oneself
self-doubt, incertitude formal
Other
unsecureness dated
Definitions
- n. 1
A lack of security; uncertainty. A lack of confidence in oneself.
- n. 2
A lack of security; uncertainty. The state of being subject to danger (physical, economic, or otherwise).
Related words
- Word family
- insecure
- Other spellings
- unsecurity
Forms
- Plural
- insecurities → instabilities, vulnerabilities, uncertainties, risks…
Choose the right word
Insecurity is a feeble word, but exceedingly broad, applying to the placing of a dish, or the possibilities of a life, a fortune, or a government.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- uncertainty All forecasts have a certain degree of uncertainty.
- instability There is constant political instability in Morocco.
- vulnerability Sami preyed on Layla's openness and vulnerability.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| insecurity | rising | |
| uncertainty | rising | |
| instability | steady | |
| vulnerability | rising | |
| precariousness | rising |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- risk1
- 5 letters
- peril2
- 6 letters
- danger2, hazard2
- 8 letters
- exposure3, jeopardy3
- 9 letters
- precarity
- 11 letters
- uncertainty4, instability5, incertitude
- 12 letters
- insecureness, unsecureness
- 13 letters
- vulnerability6
- 14 letters
- precariousness
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (peril2 = 2 syllables).