instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
: the quality or state of being unstable
especially
: lack of emotional or mental stability
Synonyms
Examples of instability in a Sentence
Investors are worried about the current instability of the stock market.
The patient has a history of emotional instability.
Recent Examples on the Web
The normalization efforts with Israel spearheaded by the United Arab Emirates have papered over what countries like Jordan say is inevitable instability as long as that issue is unaddressed.
—
Greg Myre, NPR, 6 Apr. 2024
And at least twice since the coup, errant bombs have landed inside China, which has become ever more frustrated with the instability and disruption in Myanmar.
—Timothy McLaughlin, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
What’s more, the financial instability of some nonstandard work can also cause anxiety, Yao said.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
The governments of many major non-Western powers are attempting to take a greater role on the global stage while facing persistent or increasing instability at home.
—Comfort Ero, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2024
Pan-African solidarity Haiti has long struggled with political instability, but the roots of the current crisis date back to July 2021.
—Lenny Rashid Ruvaga, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2024
The lira has been under incredible pressure amid runaway inflation and economic instability in Turkey for years, losing 40% of its value against the dollar in the past 12 months, and over 80% of its value since 2019.
—Will Daniel, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024
This comprehensive analysis delves into the monetary policy maneuvers undertaken by these institutions over the past year, marked by unprecedented challenges, including inflationary surges, economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic and geopolitical instabilities.
—Magdy Hassan Fayed, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
But now, with armed militias creating an unprecedented level of instability amid a weekslong leadership void, Celestin and others say foreign intervention may be necessary.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 28 Mar. 2024
Greg Myre, NPR, 6 Apr. 2024
And at least twice since the coup, errant bombs have landed inside China, which has become ever more frustrated with the instability and disruption in Myanmar.
—Timothy McLaughlin, The Atlantic, 4 Apr. 2024
What’s more, the financial instability of some nonstandard work can also cause anxiety, Yao said.
—Kristen Rogers, CNN, 3 Apr. 2024
The governments of many major non-Western powers are attempting to take a greater role on the global stage while facing persistent or increasing instability at home.
—Comfort Ero, Foreign Affairs, 1 Apr. 2024
Pan-African solidarity Haiti has long struggled with political instability, but the roots of the current crisis date back to July 2021.
—Lenny Rashid Ruvaga, The Christian Science Monitor, 25 Mar. 2024
The lira has been under incredible pressure amid runaway inflation and economic instability in Turkey for years, losing 40% of its value against the dollar in the past 12 months, and over 80% of its value since 2019.
—Will Daniel, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024
This comprehensive analysis delves into the monetary policy maneuvers undertaken by these institutions over the past year, marked by unprecedented challenges, including inflationary surges, economic recovery in the wake of the pandemic and geopolitical instabilities.
—Magdy Hassan Fayed, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
But now, with armed militias creating an unprecedented level of instability amid a weekslong leadership void, Celestin and others say foreign intervention may be necessary.
—Char Adams, NBC News, 28 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'instability.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near instability
Cite this Entry
“Instability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instability. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē
: the quality or state of being unstable
Medical Definition
instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural instabilities
: the quality or state of being unstable
especially
: lack of emotional or mental stability
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