destabilize
verb
de·sta·bi·lize
(ˌ)dē-ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz 
destabilized; destabilizing; destabilizes
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
The 16-month plot to bribe Maduro’s chief pilot illustrates how Washington pairs clandestine operations with military power to destabilize the regime while projecting strategic pressure in the region.
—
Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Any surviving gas giant planets could be responsible, with multi-planet interactions having possibly gradually destabilized orbits of smaller bodies over billions of years.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Climate change is also holding more moisture in the air, leading to heavier rainfall — which scientists say is another factor in destabilizing certain slopes.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
And while hot water does typically fuel storms, meteorologists also pointed out there’s a good deal of wind shear near Melissa, which could destabilize it and prevent it from getting super strong, super fast.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destabilize
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Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Any surviving gas giant planets could be responsible, with multi-planet interactions having possibly gradually destabilized orbits of smaller bodies over billions of years.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 24 Oct. 2025
Climate change is also holding more moisture in the air, leading to heavier rainfall — which scientists say is another factor in destabilizing certain slopes.
—Ella Nilsen, CNN Money, 22 Oct. 2025
And while hot water does typically fuel storms, meteorologists also pointed out there’s a good deal of wind shear near Melissa, which could destabilize it and prevent it from getting super strong, super fast.
—Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for destabilize
Cite this Entry
“Destabilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destabilize. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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