stabilize
verb
sta·bi·lize
ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz 
stabilized; stabilizing
1
: to make stable, steadfast, or firm
2
: to hold steady: such as
a
: to maintain the stability of (something, such as an airplane) by means of a stabilizer
b
: to limit fluctuations of
stabilize prices
c
: to establish a minimum price for
: to become stable, firm, or steadfast
Examples of stabilize in a Sentence
The country's population has stabilized at 3.2 million.
The government's efforts to stabilize prices have not succeeded.
Even the administration's most vocal critics agree that the President has succeeded in stabilizing the economy.
We'll use ropes to stabilize the platform.
a process that stabilizes the vaccine
drugs that stabilize a patient's heartbeat
The pilots were able to stabilize the airplane and land safely.
Recent Examples on the Web
This season’s results helped Raducanu stabilize after a hugely up-and-down start to her career — a Grand Slam title followed by multiple surgeries and a drop outside the world’s top 300.
—
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Experts say determining whether sinking slowly continues or stabilizes could dictate whether the industry needs to rethink its lofty ambitions or find new ways to anchor seaside towers — not just on Sunny Isles Beach but in other coastal communities that share similar inherently unstable geology.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
After five days of being stabilized at the Mexico hospital, she was taken by air ambulance to the University of Kansas Hospital, where a doctor gave her family a grim prognosis.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
Case counts have generally stabilized over the last few years.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stabilize
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.
Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 2 Dec. 2025
Experts say determining whether sinking slowly continues or stabilizes could dictate whether the industry needs to rethink its lofty ambitions or find new ways to anchor seaside towers — not just on Sunny Isles Beach but in other coastal communities that share similar inherently unstable geology.
—Denise Hruby, Miami Herald, 1 Dec. 2025
After five days of being stabilized at the Mexico hospital, she was taken by air ambulance to the University of Kansas Hospital, where a doctor gave her family a grim prognosis.
—Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 1 Dec. 2025
Case counts have generally stabilized over the last few years.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stabilize
Cite this Entry
“Stabilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stabilize. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
stabilize
verb
sta·bi·lize
ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz
stabilized; stabilizing
1
: to make or become stable, fixed, or firm
2
: to hold steady (as by means of a stabilizer)
Medical Definition
stabilize
verb
sta·bi·lize
variants
also British stabilise
stabilized also British stabilised; stabilizing also British stabilising
: to make stable
stabilize a patient's condition
: to become stable
when pulse and blood pressure respond and stabilize—The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical AssociationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share