as in unsteadiness
the quality or state of not being firmly fixed in position
the instability of the bridge became tragically apparent when it suddenly collapsed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of instability
As the couple slowly forget everything around them, their idyllic romance ends in an emotional instability that neither Dana nor Gael can control, and whose consequences mark Dana and Mara’s lives forever.
—
Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
His killing plunged Haiti deeper into political instability, and the country has not had a president since his death.
—Tania Francois, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
During that time, the community also confronted wildfires, landslides, coastal erosion, development battles, evacuation challenges and insurance instability.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Ahead of the front, a deep pool of moisture-rich air from the Gulf of Mexico will continue to build, increasing atmospheric instability and helping storms develop and intensify.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instability
Kevin Giraud, Variety, 10 Mar. 2026
His killing plunged Haiti deeper into political instability, and the country has not had a president since his death.
—Tania Francois, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2026
During that time, the community also confronted wildfires, landslides, coastal erosion, development battles, evacuation challenges and insurance instability.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2026
Ahead of the front, a deep pool of moisture-rich air from the Gulf of Mexico will continue to build, increasing atmospheric instability and helping storms develop and intensify.
—Mary Wasson, Austin American Statesman, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instability
Noun
-
The recent private jobs reports released from ADP also showed unsteadiness.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Shifting comments from the Republican president and his top aides are adding to the precariousness of the 12-day-old conflict, which is impacting nearly every corner of the Middle East and causing economic tremors around the globe.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
-
William Grimes wrote before that moment, introducing a distinctly American voice shaped by the horrors of enslavement in the South and the precariousness of freedom in the North.—
Regina E. Mason,
The Atlantic,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Sergio knew about my insecurities.—
Jennifer Wolfgram,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
For the men spending tens of thousands of dollars to add a couple inches of girth to their genitals, there is always a deeper insecurity not being directly addressed.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instability. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
