assure

verb

as·​sure ə-ˈshu̇r How to pronounce assure (audio)
assured; assuring

transitive verb

1
: to make sure or certain : convince
glancing back to assure himself no one was following
2
: to inform positively
I assure you that we can do it.
3
: to make certain the coming or attainment of : guarantee
worked hard to assure accuracy
4
: to make safe (as from risks or against overthrow) : insure
assured the security of the country
5
: to give confidence to
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts …1 John 3:19 (King James Version)
Choose the Right Synonym for assure

ensure, insure, assure, secure mean to make a thing or person sure.

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

, while insure sometimes stresses the taking of necessary measures beforehand

careful planning should insure the success of the party

, and assure distinctively implies the removal of doubt and suspense from a person's mind.

I assure you that no harm will be done

secure implies action taken to guard against attack or loss.

sent reinforcements to secure their position

Examples of assure in a Sentence

I can assure you that you won't be disappointed. a minister choosing just the right words to assure the grieving parents of the fallen soldier
Recent Examples on the Web Officials have assured the community that any budget cuts will not affect staffing for this school year. Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024 In the end, wider access to early voting options does not assure higher turnout, Becker said. Benjamin Oreskes, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 On March 22, the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong assured believers that the new legislation will not change the confidential nature of confession. Kanis Leung, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar. 2024 Sistani blasted negative media coverage and assured employees that a turnaround is coming. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 18 Mar. 2024 For months, the Taliban leadership in Kabul had assured the world that Afghan secondary schools for girls—which the Taliban had shuttered throughout much of the country—would be reopened. Asfandyar Mir, Foreign Affairs, 14 Mar. 2024 Ruby’s as arrogantly assured in her profession as Gordon is exhaustingly insecure. Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 The compensatory picks also assured the 49ers of a spot in at least each round. Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Invite her to express herself and assure her that your goal is to repair the relationship, for everyone’s sake. Amy Dickinson, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'assure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French asseurer, assurer, from Medieval Latin assecurare, from Latin ad- + securus secure

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of assure was in the 14th century

Cite this Entry

“Assure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/assure. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

assure

verb
as·​sure ə-ˈshu̇(ə)r How to pronounce assure (audio)
assured; assuring
1
: to provide a guarantee of
assure security
2
: to give words of comfort or confidence to : reassure
tried to assure the worried children
3
: to cause to be sure or certain
assure himself that the door was locked
4
: to inform positively
can assure you of her dependability

Legal Definition

assure

transitive verb
as·​sure
assured; assuring
1
chiefly British : insure
2
a
: to inform positively
the seller assured the buyer of his honesty
b
: to provide a guarantee of

More from Merriam-Webster on assure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!