unreliable

adjective

un·​re·​li·​able ˌən-ri-ˈlī-ə-bəl How to pronounce unreliable (audio)
Synonyms of unreliablenext
: not reliable : undependable, untrustworthy
an unreliable friend
an unreliable source of funding
an unreliable car
unreliability noun
the unreliability of the data
a person with a reputation for unreliability
unreliably adverb
a method that works unreliably

Examples of unreliable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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But her personal and professional life collapsed amid legal troubles and reports of partying, substance abuse and unreliable behavior. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 2 Mar. 2026 The sixth-year senior averaged 26 points early but became unreliable during Big Ten play, sometimes missing games for unclear reasons. Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2026 But there were plenty of misses along the way, and Spurs were left with a squad with too many unreliable and inconsistent players. Jack Pitt-Brooke, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026 Concern about unreliable gas suppliers pervades Europe, for example. Justin Worland, Time, 28 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unreliable

Word History

First Known Use

1810, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unreliable was in 1810

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Cite this Entry

“Unreliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unreliable. Accessed 7 Mar. 2026.

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