22 Other Ways to Say Insecure (With Examples)

You feel a little shaky sometimes and that is totally okay. We all have moments where we do not feel very brave or sure of ourselves. Using the same old word can get boring after a while. If you want to find other ways to say insecure, I have got you covered with some very simple options that anyone can understand.

22 Other Ways to Say Insecure (With Examples)

Unsure

This is a great choice when you feel like you do not have all the answers right now. It means you are not certain about a choice or a feeling you have. You might feel this way when trying something brand new or meeting people for the first time. It is a very soft word that does not sound too mean. Most people feel this way often so it is a very relatable thing to say.

I am unsure about this plan.
She felt unsure of her answer.
They seem unsure of the path.
He is unsure about his future.
We are unsure of the rules.
Are you feeling unsure today?

Shaky

When you feel shaky it means you lack a solid foundation in your heart. Your confidence might be wobbling like a table with a short leg. It describes a feeling of being very nervous or unsteady about a situation. You can use this when your courage is not very strong. It paints a clear picture of someone who is struggling to stand tall. It is a very descriptive and easy word for everyone to use.

My confidence feels a bit shaky.
He gave a very shaky speech.
Her voice sounded shaky and quiet.
The team had a shaky start.
I feel shaky about this deal.
Everything feels a little shaky now.

Not Confident

This is a very direct way to tell someone how you are feeling inside. It simply means that you do not have the belief that you can do a task well. Sometimes we just need more practice before we feel like a pro. Using these two words together helps people understand that you might need a little bit of extra help or a kind word. It is a very honest and clear way to speak.

I am not confident in math.
She is not confident about driving.
They are not confident today.
He was not confident at work.
We feel not confident right now.
Are you not confident with this?

Shy

Being shy is a common feeling for many people around the world. It means you are a bit scared or nervous to talk to others. You might want to hide away or stay quiet during a big party. This word is perfect for describing a person who is not very bold. It is a sweet word that shows you are a little bit timid. Many children and adults feel this way in large groups.

The little girl is very shy.
I felt shy at the party.
He is shy around new people.
Don’t be shy to speak up.
She gave a very shy smile.
They are shy in the classroom.

Worried

If you are worried it means your mind is full of scary thoughts about the future. You keep thinking that something bad might happen very soon. This makes you feel less safe and less happy. It is a very strong emotion that can make your tummy feel funny. When you use this word people know that you are feeling some stress. It is a simple way to express that you do not feel calm.

I am worried about the test.
She looks worried about her dog.
They are worried about the rain.
He is worried he might fail.
We are worried for our friend.
Why do you look so worried?

Uncertain

This word is very similar to being unsure but it sounds a little more serious. It means that the facts are not clear to you yet. You might feel uncertain about a big life change or a new job. It shows that you are waiting for more information before you can feel better. It is a smart word to use when life feels like a big puzzle. Most people will understand exactly what you mean here.

The future feels very uncertain now.
He is uncertain about the move.
She had an uncertain look today.
We are uncertain of the time.
The weather is uncertain for Sunday.
I am uncertain of my feelings.

Hesitant

Being hesitant means you are moving very slowly because you are afraid to make a mistake. You might pause for a long time before you say something out loud. It shows that you are careful but also a little bit scared. You are not jumping into things with a lot of energy. This is a good word for when you are taking your time to be safe. It describes a very slow and careful feeling.

He was hesitant to jump in.
She is hesitant about the news.
I feel hesitant to call him.
They were hesitant to join us.
We are hesitant to spend money.
Why are you being so hesitant?

Self Conscious

This is a big term that just means you are thinking about yourself too much. You might worry about how your hair looks or what you said. It feels like everyone is looking at you and judging you. This feeling makes it very hard to relax and have fun. It is a very normal feeling when you are in a new place. Using this shows you are aware of your own small fears today.

I feel self conscious in red.
She is self conscious about singing.
He was self conscious at gym.
They are self conscious of height.
Don’t be so self conscious now.
We all feel self conscious sometimes.

Nervous

Nervousness is that jumpy feeling you get in your chest. It often happens right before you have to do something big. Your hands might sweat and your heart might beat very fast. It is a very common way to feel when you are not totally sure of yourself. This word is easy for kids and adults to say. It tells others that you are feeling a bit tight and edgy inside your own body.

I am nervous about my talk.
She gets nervous before the show.
He is nervous to meet her.
They feel nervous on the plane.
We are nervous about the game.
Are you feeling nervous right now?

Timid

A timid person is someone who is very gentle and easily frightened. You might not want to make a loud noise or stand out. It is like being a small mouse in a big room. You prefer to stay in the shadows where it is safe. This word describes a personality that is very quiet and not very brave. It is a kind way to talk about someone who needs a bit of extra love.

The timid kitten hid under bed.
He has a very timid voice.
She was timid during the lesson.
Don’t be timid with your ideas.
They are timid in deep water.
I felt timid around the boss.

Doubtful

When you are doubtful you have many questions in your mind. You do not believe that something will work out well. It is like having a little voice saying that things might go wrong. This makes you feel very shaky about your choices. It is a great word for when you are second guessing yourself. You are looking for proof that everything will be okay. It shows a lack of total faith in a big situation.

I am doubtful about this car.
He is doubtful of the story.
She felt doubtful about her win.
They are doubtful of the price.
We are doubtful it will work.
Why are you so doubtful today?

Defensive

Sometimes when we feel bad about ourselves we try to protect our feelings. This is called being defensive and it can make us sound a bit angry. You might feel like you have to explain why you did something. It happens because you are afraid of what others think of you. It is a shield you put up to keep your heart safe from mean words. This word helps explain why someone is acting a bit tough.

He got defensive about his grades.
She is defensive when she loses.
I am not trying to be defensive.
They were defensive about the mess.
Stop being so defensive with me.
We get defensive when we worry.

Low Confidence

Having low confidence means your inner battery is not fully charged. You feel like you cannot do things as well as other people can. It is a very heavy feeling that can make you want to give up. You might think that you are not smart enough or fast enough. This phrase is very simple and tells the truth about your mood. It shows that you need some cheering up to feel better and stronger again.

He has low confidence in sports.
She suffers from low confidence lately.
I have low confidence in cooking.
They showed low confidence during tests.
We must fix our low confidence.
Low confidence can be very hard.

Vulnerable

Feeling vulnerable means you feel like you could be hurt easily. It is like being outside in the rain without a coat. You are open and honest but you are also very scared. It takes a lot of guts to admit that you feel this way. This word is used when you are sharing your true self with others. It shows that you are not hiding behind a mask. It is a very deep and real human emotion.

I feel vulnerable in this house.
She was vulnerable after the breakup.
They look vulnerable in the cold.
He shared a very vulnerable story.
We are vulnerable to the wind.
It is okay to feel vulnerable.

Second Guessing

This is when you make a choice and then immediately think it was wrong. You keep changing your mind over and over again. It is a very tiring way to think because your brain never rests. You are looking for a better answer that might not even be there. This phrase describes the act of not trusting your first thought. It is a very common habit for people who do not feel very sure yet.

I am second guessing my outfit.
Stop second guessing every single word.
He is second guessing his job.
She was second guessing the route.
They are second guessing the date.
We should stop second guessing now.

Weak

Using the word weak means you feel you lack the strength to handle a task. This can be about your muscles or your mind. When you feel this way you might think you will fall down. It is a very basic word that shows a lack of power. You can use it when a situation feels too big for you to manage. It is a very honest way to say you are struggling to keep going right now.

I feel weak in my knees.
The wall looks very weak today.
His argument was very weak indeed.
She felt weak after the flu.
They have a weak team now.
My heart feels weak and sad.

Fragile

Something fragile can break very easily if you are not careful. When a person feels fragile they might cry or get upset quickly. It means your emotions are very thin and need gentle care. You might feel like a piece of glass that could shatter. This is a very beautiful word that asks for kindness from others. It shows that you are in a very delicate state of mind and need some soft words today.

She is feeling very fragile lately.
He has a fragile ego today.
The peace feels very fragile now.
I am in a fragile mood.
They handled the fragile boy well.
We must be kind to fragile souls.

Anxious

Being anxious is like having a swarm of bees in your head. You feel very worried and you cannot sit still. It is a feeling of fear about what might happen next. This is a very common word that people use when they are stressed. It shows that your mind is racing much faster than it should. When you say this people know you need a moment to breathe. It is a very helpful word for mental health.

I am anxious about the flight.
She felt anxious in the crowd.
He is anxious to hear news.
They get anxious before a test.
We are anxious about the change.
Why do you feel so anxious?

Wary

When you are wary you are being very careful because you do not trust something. You are watching out for danger like a hawk. You do not want to get hurt so you stay far away. It is a feeling of being very cautious and not very bold. This word is perfect for when you feel like a situation is a bit fishy. It shows you are using your brain to stay safe from any bad trouble.

I am wary of the stranger.
She is wary of the dog.
He gave me a wary look.
They are wary of the ice.
Be wary of the cheap deals.
We are wary of the forest.

Fidgety

If you are fidgety you cannot keep your body still. You might tap your pen or wiggle your toes a lot. This happens because you are feeling uneasy or bored inside. It is a physical sign that you are not relaxed. People can see that you are feeling a bit nervous just by looking at you. This word is very fun to say and describes a clear action. It is a great way to show your inner feelings.

He is very fidgety in class.
I get fidgety during long movies.
She was fidgety at the desk.
Stop being so fidgety and sit.
They are fidgety before the race.
Why are you so fidgety today?

Apprehensive

This is a fancy way to say you are a bit afraid of the future. You have a feeling that something unpleasant is coming your way. It is like seeing dark clouds and waiting for the rain to fall. You are not quite terrified but you are certainly not happy either. This word shows you are thinking ahead with a bit of fear. It is a great choice for describing a nervous wait for some big news.

He is apprehensive about the surgery.
I am apprehensive about the move.
She looked apprehensive at the door.
They are apprehensive of the dark.
We feel apprehensive about the law.
Are you apprehensive about the meeting?

Meek

A meek person is very quiet and does what they are told without arguing. You might feel like you do not have a strong voice to speak up. It is a way of being very humble and sometimes a bit too shy. You do not want to cause any trouble for anyone else. This word describes someone who is very soft and gentle in their ways. It is a classic word used to show a lack of bold power.

He is a very meek man.
She gave a meek little reply.
They were meek in the court.
Don’t be too meek with them.
I felt meek beside the giant.
The dog has a meek nature.

Final Thoughts

I hope this list helps you find new ways to share your feelings with the world. Learning other ways to say insecure is a great way to build your word skills. You can use these simple tips to talk about your heart and mind more clearly. Being honest about how you feel is a very brave thing to do. Keep practicing these words and you will feel much more sure of yourself. Thank you for reading my very helpful guide today.