ensure
Leave no doubt
To ensure something means to make it secure, certain, or safe: Can you ensure the well-being of the party as they cross the border?
In modern usage ensure is usually followed by a ‘that’ clause, although the ‘that’ is not always present: It’s important to ensure that their diet has adequate vitamin D. Before calling, ensure you are using the latest version of the software.
In North American English, insure is sometimes used for these meanings of ensure, as well as the meanings of insure that have to do with indemnification.
Confirm accuracy or truth
- confirmValidate as true
- validateConfirm as true
- authenticateConfirm as genuine
- certifyFormally verify as true
corroborate · check · double-check · audit · inspect · review · cross-check · substantiate
Precaution against harm
guard · fortify · buffer · backup · redundancy · failsafe · contingency · hedge
Formal promise of fulfillment
- warrantFormal authorization document
- pledgeBinding promise given
- vouchGive personal assurance
- promiseCommitment to act
commit · underwrite · back · endorse · affirm · swear · avow · covenant
Compel obedience to
- mandateFormal authoritative directive
- requireTo make necessary
- regulateControl by rules
- stipulateRequire as condition
obligate · standardize · protocol · procedure · oversight · accountability · monitoring · audit
verify
Confirm accuracy or truth
- confirmValidate as true
- validateConfirm as true
- authenticateConfirm as genuine
certify · corroborate · check · double-check · audit · inspect · review · cross-check · substantiate · document
safeguard
Precaution against harm
preserve · guard · fortify · buffer · backup · redundancy · failsafe · contingency · hedge · cushion
guarantee
Formal promise of fulfillment
promise · commit · underwrite · back · endorse · affirm · swear · avow · covenant · bond
enforce
Compel obedience to
stipulate · obligate · standardize · protocol · procedure · oversight · accountability · monitoring · audit · inspection
- verifycheck, confirm, verify, validate, authenticate
- formal verbsrequest, inquire, require, submit, proceed
- accomplishaccomplish, achieve, complete, do, finish
- attend toattend to, see to, take care of, look after, tend
- finalizationfinalize, conclude, close, clinch, seal
- homophoneshomophones, hear, here, see, sea
ensuregamble
Stake on uncertain outcome
risk · leave to chance · jeopardize · hazard · hope
ensureendanger
To put at risk
imperil · threaten · undermine · jeopardize · compromise