insecurity

A lack of confidence in yourself, your abilities, or whether other people like you.

• He hides his insecurity behind jokes.
• Her insecurities made dating difficult.
• Talking to friends helped me overcome my insecurity.

How to use it: insecurity about something (Her insecurity about her appearance made her avoid photographs.)

Similar words: self-doubt, lack of confidence

Opposites: confidence, self-assurance

Common phrases: personal insecurity, deep insecurity, insecurity about something

A feeling or situation in which you cannot be sure that things will stay safe or stable.

• Job insecurity worries many workers.
• The sudden changes created a sense of insecurity.
• She grew tired of the insecurity of temporary work.

Similar words: uncertainty, instability

Opposites: security, certainty

Common phrases: job insecurity, financial insecurity, feeling of insecurity

A situation in which people face danger or may lose things they need to live.

• Food insecurity affects many families.
• Violence has increased insecurity across the region.
• The report links economic insecurity to poor health.

Similar words: vulnerability, lack of safety

Opposites: security, safety

Common phrases: food insecurity, economic insecurity, widespread insecurity