destabilize

verb de·sta·bi·lize \ (ˌ)dē-ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz \

Updated on: 16 May 2018

Definition of destabilize

transitive verb

1 : to make unstable

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

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destabilization

play \(ˌ)dē-ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

See destabilize defined for English-language learners

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 of destabilize from the Web

Dianne explains that the bill says gender analysis must be taken to address mass incarceration to improve prison conditions in the short term, and break cycles of trauma in the long run that destabilize families and children in particular.

— alyxandra goodwin, Teen Vogue, "Mother's Day Needs to Be Inclusive of Incarcerated Moms, and Here’s How You Can Help," 13 May 2018
Also, appalling treatment at the hands of a powerful person can destabilize nearly anyone.

— t.a. frank, The Hive, "A Note to Woke Washington: The Bush Administration Was So Much Worse," 4 May 2018
Violence would destabilize the country and put the vested interests of the Republican Party elite at risk, Broers added -- another reason to seek consensus.

— laura smith-spark, CNN, "Armenia protests: What happens next?," 2 May 2018
The leaking roof has damaged plaster and destabilized the ornate terra cotta cornice, with pieces falling to the sidewalk, threatening public safety.

— will higgins, Indianapolis Star, "These 10 classic, historic Indiana buildings are on borrowed time," 2 May 2018
In the short term, either of those things could further destabilize an already violent Middle East and a fraying US-European alliance.

— ned temko, The Christian Science Monitor, "Macron emerges as champion of the liberal world order," 30 Apr. 2018
The City of Atlanta spent more than $2.6 million on emergency efforts to respond to a ransomware attack that destabilized municipal operations last month.

— lily hay newman, WIRED, "Atlanta Spent $2.6M to Recover From $52,000 Ransomware Scare," 23 Apr. 2018
The photographer has joined a growing list of journalists who have won the profession’s highest honor on their way out the door of a once-thriving newspaper industry now destabilized and seriously weakened by the internet.

— sarah rankin, The Seattle Times, "Pulitzer honoree is latest to win after leaving journalism," 21 Apr. 2018
The photographer has joined a growing list of journalists who have won the profession’s highest honor on their way out the door of a once-thriving newspaper industry now destabilized and seriously weakened by the internet.

— Washington Post, "Pulitzer honoree is latest to win after leaving journalism," 21 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'destabilize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.