destabilize

verb

de·​sta·​bi·​lize (ˌ)dē-ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce destabilize (audio)
destabilized; destabilizing; destabilizes

transitive verb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Its pat, readymade quality threatens to destabilize Godd’s shtick, which, while still nascent, doesn’t offer quite as much juice as Blanton tries to squeeze from it. Maxie Younger, Pitchfork, 21 Apr. 2026 At the same time, decades of punitive drug policies and mass incarceration have destabilized families and neighborhoods across the country. Dimitri Mugianis, STAT, 20 Apr. 2026 But bad actors have learned to weaponize that same amendment as a shield, flooding the information ecosystem with content designed to discreetly destabilize our communities. Julian Baron, Baltimore Sun, 19 Apr. 2026 The heads of the US Federal Reserve and Treasury urgently summoned Wall Street leaders last week on concerns about Mythos, which some fear may be a hacking superweapon that could destabilize the global financial system. Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 16 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for destabilize

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destabilize was in 1924

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Destabilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destabilize. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on destabilize

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster