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 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 Jones, the city manager, said state rules for affordable housing do not allow short-term rentals, and conditions could be added to further assure that does not happen. Phil Diehl, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2024 Both President Biden and former President Donald Trump are all but assured of a rematch against each other, however unpopular that may be with voters. Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 But with the help of an investor — and with orders from exclusive department stores, including Bullock’s Wilshire in Los Angeles, Neiman Marcus in Dallas and Bergdorf Goodman in New York — her future was assured. Margalit Fox, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2024 The defeat of those responsible for his father's death is assured. Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2024 With frequent updates that add new courses monthly, learners are assured access to the most current material. Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 29 Feb. 2024 And, if your road trip brings you somewhere cold or hot, rest assured that the device can work in below 4 degrees Fahrenheit and 140 degrees Fahrenheit weather conditions. Alexandra Domrongchai, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 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 19 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

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