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

• insecurity
• precariousness
• shakiness
• unstableness
• unsteadiness

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

In today’s hyper-connected world, headline after headline about an economic downturn, rising prices and global instability seeps into the workplace, shaping employee morale, workplace culture and even job performance. —Gyre Renwick, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025

Inducing opposite-phase steering above 30 or 40 mph could cause drastic instability at speed, creating a very rapid yaw moment that would likely cause an unrecoverable skid. —ArsTechnica, 7 May 2025

Republicans have been on edge for weeks as the Trump administration’s hemming and hawing on tariffs have created instability in the market and questions about the White House’s handling of the economy. —Al Weaver, The Hill, 6 May 2025

The movie is, paradoxically, both artifact and construct; the instability of the image is precisely what holds it together. —Justin Chang, New Yorker, 2 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for instability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

Kids 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