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

Investors see companies racing to capture AI's disruptive gains while underinvesting in societal stewardship and resilience as a risk that threatens to destabilize the very foundations on which healthy markets are built. —Martin Whittaker, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

At the time, a slew of carriers had gone bankrupt, destabilizing the market and leading to skyrocketing premiums. —Gray Rohrer, Miami Herald, 17 June 2026

Britain has also accused Russia of mounting a campaign of sabotage and misinformation designed to destabilize European nations that support Ukraine. —ABC News, 17 June 2026

Those cuts will ripple out to hospitals’ bottom lines, further destabilizing these already strained systems. —Lisa Jarvis, Mercury News, 16 June 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