destabilize

verb

de·​sta·​bi·​lize (ˌ)dē-ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce destabilize (audio)
destabilized; destabilizing; destabilizes

transitive verb

1
: to make unstable
2
: to cause (something, such as a government) to be incapable of functioning or surviving

Examples of destabilize in a Sentence

The group hoped the assassination of the new President would destabilize the government. Economists warn that the crisis could destabilize the nation's currency.
Recent Examples on the Web But if the sinking is happening at 5 millimeters at one end and 1 millimeter at the other, that difference can destabilize the infrastructure. Matt Simon, WIRED, 6 Mar. 2024 Solid foundations are destabilized as Venus and Uranus clash. USA TODAY, 3 Mar. 2024 But all of them destabilize ecosystems, threaten native species, and/or spread pathogens. Bob Hirshon, Discover Magazine, 2 Mar. 2024 Electing Donald Trump in November would destabilize the global order and weaken the United States. Souad Mekhennet, Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2024 That flavor of dread wound up destabilizing the storyline, which begins to collapse as Berlant’s overwrought, faux-memoiristic account of her journey to fame is bedeviled by technical difficulties and her own festering doubts. Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 15 Feb. 2024 And the disruption of funding to UNRWA will put pressure on other member states, potentially destabilizing the region. Iman Jodeh, The Denver Post, 3 Feb. 2024 The countries began constructing fences in 2020 to deter migrants whom Russian authorities were sending over in a bid to destabilize European neighbors. Michael Birnbaum, Washington Post, 23 Feb. 2024 When the Champlain Towers building in Surfside came crashing down in 2021, the tragedy raised concerns about the threat of rising groundwater possibly destabilizing thousands of older buildings that crowd South Florida’s coast, and the underground foundations that keep them standing. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 22 Feb. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destabilize was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near destabilize

Cite this Entry

“Destabilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destabilize. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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