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

This led Russia to take ever more blatant steps to destabilize the Pashinyan government. —Thomas De Waal, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025

The aim is to destabilize Maduro’s inner circle and encourage defections. —Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 20 Sep. 2025

This opens a door for attackers to destabilize the browser or system its running on, to execute their own code. —Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Russia has also been a major promoter of online anti-vaccine rhetoric, seemingly in an effort to further destabilize western democracies. —Michael E. Mann, Time, 17 Sep. 2025

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