labile

adjective

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la·bile | \ ˈlā-ˌbī(-ə)l

, -bəl \

Definition of labile

1 : readily or continually undergoing chemical, physical, or biological change or breakdown : unstable a labile mineral

2 : readily open to change has so labile a face that some of her scenes … rock with emotion— Manny Farber

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Examples of labile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Arias, an exciting and emotionally labile actor, makes Anna a jittery creature, like a woman in the constant throes of a low-grade fever. — Alexis Soloski, New York Times, "Review: In ‘Anatomy of a Suicide,’ Pain in Triplicate," 18 Feb. 2020 Indeed people who suffer from labile epilepsy, end-stage emphysema, or exquisite peanut allergies requiring immediate EpiPen availability should not be left to suffer the tragic dilemma of Alec Smith. — Letter Writers, Twin Cities, "Letters: For people who need medicine to survive, let’s solve this problem now," 9 June 2019 But cancers are both heterogeneous and labile; elsewhere in a tumour, and later in a tumour’s progression, things may look different. — The Economist, "A cell among trillionsUnderstanding cancer’s unruly origins helps early diagnosis," 16 Sep. 2017 But cancers are both heterogeneous and labile — The Economist, "A cell among trillionsUnderstanding cancer’s unruly origins helps early diagnosis," 16 Sep. 2017 Yes, both Mr. Spector and Ms. Hall are dynamic, intelligent and emotionally labile. — Alexis Soloski, New York Times, "Rebecca Hall and Morgan Spector: Together, Onstage and Off," 25 May 2017

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