Definition of unstablenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective unstable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unstable are capricious, fickle, inconstant, and mercurial. While all these words mean "lacking firmness or steadiness (as in purpose or devotion)," unstable implies an incapacity for remaining in a fixed position or steady course and applies especially to a lack of emotional balance.

too unstable to hold a job

When can capricious be used instead of unstable?

The synonyms capricious and unstable are sometimes interchangeable, but capricious suggests motivation by sudden whim or fancy and stresses unpredictability.

an utterly capricious critic

When would fickle be a good substitute for unstable?

The words fickle and unstable can be used in similar contexts, but fickle suggests unreliability because of perverse changeability and incapacity for steadfastness.

performers discover how fickle fans can be

When is inconstant a more appropriate choice than unstable?

The words inconstant and unstable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inconstant implies an incapacity for steadiness and an inherent tendency to change.

an inconstant friend

When could mercurial be used to replace unstable?

Although the words mercurial and unstable have much in common, mercurial implies a rapid changeability in mood.

made anxious by her boss's mercurial temperament

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unstable Sacramento County Department of Transportation workers began work this week to remove a nearly 40-year-old fall risk along Sunrise Boulevard in Fair Oaks — a sound wall that officials said had become dangerously unstable. Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 17 June 2026 To Booth, the strike is less about power than the body’s ability to trust an inherently unstable position. Amelie Claydon, New York Times, 17 June 2026 Making matters worse, heat waves can create conditions favorable for lightning because of the hot, unstable atmosphere. Mukesh Kumar, The Conversation, 17 June 2026 On June 4, the National Emergency Commission declared the alert for the entire country with unstable weather expected to continue for the next couple of weeks. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
  • McConnell has always appeared to have a somewhat unsteady gate — a childhood bout of polio left him with a partially paralyzed leg.
    Eric McDaniel, NPR, 14 June 2026
  • Swalwell's absence on the campaign trail allowed Becerra to gain more traction as a seemingly steady Democratic option in a very unsteady race.
    Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026
Adjective
  • Aerion Targaryen Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), also known as Aerion Brightflame, is a volatile and cruel Targaryen prince infamous for his arrogance and violent behavior.
    Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 22 June 2026
  • Even excluding volatile food and energy prices, core PCE is expected to increase from April, according to economists polled by FactSet.
    Sean Conlon, CNBC, 21 June 2026
Adjective
  • In some studies, gloves not changed between tasks had higher bacterial counts and could transfer germs just as easily as ungloved hands, underscoring the need for frequent changing and proper hand hygiene.
    Evan Moore December 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • But like others interviewed by the AJC, this trainee opted not to report his allegations because of his precarious employment status.
    Emma Hurt, AJC.com, 25 June 2026
  • Even Hollywood critics of the generative AI economy express sympathy for those working in this precarious field.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • This unpredictable chaos, fueled by technological glitches and administrative issues, is worsening as peak summer travel begins.
    Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026
  • However, construction zones are inherently unpredictable.
    Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Adjective
  • If visible pores or uneven texture is a concern for you at all, this primer is the ultimate solution.
    Jenna Curcio, InStyle, 25 June 2026
  • As with that earlier boom-and-bust cycle, the AI landscape is likely to yield uneven outcomes, according to Qian Wang, global head of capital market research at Vanguard, and senior global economist Kevin Khang.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • The team found the carbon-bearing material in mudstones located within Bright Angel, a rocky region connected to Neretva Vallis, an ancient river channel that once carried water into Jezero Crater.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 25 June 2026
  • What to read next First, Perseverance has found organic, large, complex carbon in mudstones in Bright Angel, a rocky area on the northern and southern edges of Neretva Vallis, which is an ancient river valley in the Jezero area.
    Chelsea Gohd, Space.com, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • This is a recurring injury for Smith, who has missed five of the last nine games due to varying levels of discomfort in his calf.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Even within a single day, temporary weight shifts are common and are often due to varying levels of fluid retention.
    Lauren O'Connor, Health, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstable. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

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