unassured

6.3

Not confident and acting unsure

adjective
/ˌʌnəˈʃʊrd/

: inseguro

She gave an unassured smile, betraying her nervousness about the presentation.

Examples

The actor’s performance was surprisingly unassured, lacking the usual confidence he displayed.
She felt unassured about giving her presentation.
His unassured manner made it clear that he was not comfortable speaking in public.
His unassured demeanor made everyone uncomfortable.
She felt unassured during her speech, often stumbling over her words.
His unassured demeanor made it clear that he was not prepared for the interview.
Despite her hard work, she remained unassured about her chances of winning the competition.

Synonyms

shy

vsunassured

343 1.0

Nervous and likely to avoid people or new situations

is about lack of boldness in action rather than social avoidance

hesitant

vsunassured

73 3.2

Slow to act or speak because you feel unsure

is about lacking boldness in manner generally rather than temporary slowness

timid

vsunassured

60 3.5

Shy and afraid to do new or risky things

is about uncertain manner or action rather than strong fear response

uncertain

vsunassured

43 3.9

Not feeling sure or confident

focuses on lacking confidence in manner or action rather than facts

diffident

vsunassured

4 8.0

Shy and not confident about speaking or acting in front of others

is about general lack of boldness and uncertain behaviour

pusillanimous

vsunassured

Offensive

2 9.9

Easily afraid and not willing to take risks

is about uncertain manner or lack of boldness rather than moral failing

unconfident

vsunassured

1 4.0

Feeling unsure about yourself or your abilities

is about uncertain manner or action rather than only ability doubt

unassertive

vsunassured

1 6.2

Not confident about saying what you think or want

is about lacking boldness and uncertain manner rather than only soft style

nonassertive

vsunassured

6.5

Someone who is not forceful and does not push opinions, often quiet and easy to work with

is about lack of boldness in manner rather than mere choice not to assert

Antonyms

certain

840 1.0

Feeling sure and having no doubt

assured

4.1

Confident and steady in voice or movement

How Confident

bold

257 2.7

assured

4.1

confident

715 2.5

unassured

6.3

hesitant

73 3.2

timid

60 3.5

Surface Forms

unassured positive

Morphology

unassured = assured (transparent) = un + assured

Standard negation with 'un-' applied to the adjective 'assured' yields the straightforward meaning 'not confident'.

Etymology

Unassured combines un- ('not') and assure ('to make certain or confident'), a root you also see in secure. So, unassured means 'not confident' or 'uncertain'.