as in unpredictable
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a boss of volatile moods is frustrating to work for
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Recent Examples of volatile
The federal force grew along with the conflicts, resulting in an unusual and volatile situation for a state without an exceptionally large undocumented immigrant population.
—
Eric Roper, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
The unpredictability of the Royal Rumble format makes these odds particularly volatile, as surprise entrants historically play a major role in both matches.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 31 Jan. 2026
Flying is the company’s second Nova-C lander named Athena featuring NASA’s PRIME-1 drill, to land a drill and mass spectrometer near the south pole of the moon in order to demonstrate the feasibility of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and measure the volatile content of subsurface samples.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
The biggest moves were in the volatile metals markets, where gold dropped more than 5% and silver sank more than 13%.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Eric Roper, Mercury News, 31 Jan. 2026
The unpredictability of the Royal Rumble format makes these odds particularly volatile, as surprise entrants historically play a major role in both matches.
—Jenzia Burgos, StyleCaster, 31 Jan. 2026
Flying is the company’s second Nova-C lander named Athena featuring NASA’s PRIME-1 drill, to land a drill and mass spectrometer near the south pole of the moon in order to demonstrate the feasibility of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) and measure the volatile content of subsurface samples.
—Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Jan. 2026
The biggest moves were in the volatile metals markets, where gold dropped more than 5% and silver sank more than 13%.
—Christopher Rugaber, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volatile
Adjective
-
Your finances are the focus as unpredictable Uranus stations direct in your 2nd House of Resources, stalled money moves unstick, so a raise chat or subscription cleanup suddenly looks worth action.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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Complaints about low wages and unpredictable schedules for associates were rising.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This is clear on entry, as the exhibition floor itself is turned into a series of unstable ramps that rise and fall, echoing the references to the promises and disappointments of modern life that permeate the show.—
K. Desbouis,
Artforum,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Like all successful paranoid art, the core of the story is unstable.—
James Folta,
Literary Hub,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Because most HELOCs have variable rates that are tied to the prime rate, any Fed rate cuts will directly impact rates on HELOCs, too.—
Aly J Yale,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
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By contrast, most credit cards have a variable rate, so there’s a more direct connection to the Fed’s benchmark.—
Jessica Dickler,
CNBC,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Carmakers — historically major buyers of ads during the big game — have been inconsistent with advertising during the Super Bowl in recent years, with only a handful putting out spots each year.—
Michael Wayland,
CNBC,
7 Feb. 2026
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Addressing Gaps in the Market The company’s founder established XPRO Jet Charters after spending years flying privately and experiencing inconsistent service firsthand.—
Ethan Stone,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
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Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
Adjective
-
To that end, the unsettled race may have created an opening for a new candidate to throw his hat in the ring, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.—
Douglas Schoen,
Oc Register,
6 Feb. 2026
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There is a possibility of more unsettled weather by mid-week, into Valentine's Day weekend.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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But a month after Maduro’s capture, while some see reason for optimism in the economy and releases of political prisoners, the country remains on an uncertain path.—
CNN 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
5 Feb. 2026
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Garland’s uncertain availability, and the Cavaliers’ need to get star Donovan Mitchell more scoring help, motivated Cleveland to swap their young floor leader for Harden, who is 10 years older.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Volatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volatile. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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