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
Inaccurate data can lead to instability, allowing the plasma to escape its magnetic confinement and potentially cause damage to the machine.
—
Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
At a time of uncertainty for the fashion and luxury sectors — still feeling the pinch of economic instability, geopolitical unrest and tariffs — retail is facing disruption and change across geographies.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
What figures such as Tate, Caz, Maalouf, and others are doing is exploiting civil instability and installing themselves as truth-tellers in a society where experts can’t be trusted.
—T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, safe havens like gold and silver are surging — another sign that investors are hedging against geopolitical instability.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instability
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Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Oct. 2025
At a time of uncertainty for the fashion and luxury sectors — still feeling the pinch of economic instability, geopolitical unrest and tariffs — retail is facing disruption and change across geographies.
—Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2025
What figures such as Tate, Caz, Maalouf, and others are doing is exploiting civil instability and installing themselves as truth-tellers in a society where experts can’t be trusted.
—T. M. Brown, New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, safe havens like gold and silver are surging — another sign that investors are hedging against geopolitical instability.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 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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