instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
: the quality or state of being unstable
especially
: lack of emotional or mental stability
Examples of instability in a Sentence
Investors are worried about the current instability of the stock market.
The patient has a history of emotional instability.
Recent Examples on the Web
His newest book makes such fact-finding a key theme, demonstrating the instability of a political system grounded in untruth—and investigating how populist leaders can wield that for their own ends.
—
Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Cooperation among central banks has been critical for stemming global financial instability.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Coalitions of the willing—composed of states, multilateral institutions, the private sector and civil society—should be a powerful antidote to the forces of instability.
—David Miliband, Time, 16 Dec. 2025
According to the source, instability in Syria is of particular concern, creating conditions that could allow ISIS to regroup and once again project influence beyond the region.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instability
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Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2025
Cooperation among central banks has been critical for stemming global financial instability.
—Foreign Affairs, 16 Dec. 2025
Coalitions of the willing—composed of states, multilateral institutions, the private sector and civil society—should be a powerful antidote to the forces of instability.
—David Miliband, Time, 16 Dec. 2025
According to the source, instability in Syria is of particular concern, creating conditions that could allow ISIS to regroup and once again project influence beyond the region.
—Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instability
Cite this Entry
“Instability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instability. Accessed 21 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē
: the quality or state of being unstable
Medical Definition
instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural instabilities
: the quality or state of being unstable
especially
: lack of emotional or mental stability
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