destabilize

verb

de·​sta·​bi·​lize (ˌ)dē-ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz 

destabilized; destabilizing; destabilizes

transitive verb

1

: to make unstable

2

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

destabilization

(ˌ)dē-ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

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

And the war against Iran has further destabilized the Middle East, hindering cooperation across the region. — Pedro Sánchez, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2026

The Federal Reserve and other financial institutions are closely watching the AI buildout to monitor for the possibility that an unexpected event could destabilize the global financial system. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 11 Nov. 2026

But the republic was very quickly destabilized by the Persian Gulf War (1990–91), in which Yemen, then aligned with Saddam Hussein, refused to participate. — Manfred W. Wenner All, Encyclopedia Britannica, 10 Nov. 2026

Disrupting Nvidia — as this scandal clearly has — could destabilize America’s entire AI industry. — Robert Hart, The Verge, 10 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for destabilize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize