as in unpredictable
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a boss of volatile moods is frustrating to work for
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of volatile
The tournament will also take place during a politically volatile period in the United States.
—
Juliana Kim, NPR, 9 May 2026
Set in the Bangladeshi countryside during a pre-digital era, the film centers on Sadu, an impoverished tenant farmer who lives in isolation with his volatile wife.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 May 2026
Her victory came during a politically volatile period for the city, following fallout from House Bill 2, protests after the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott and years of turnover at city hall.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026
But markets have remained volatile, amid mixed messages from Washington and Tehran over the state of negotiations.
—Michael Considine, CNBC, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Juliana Kim, NPR, 9 May 2026
Set in the Bangladeshi countryside during a pre-digital era, the film centers on Sadu, an impoverished tenant farmer who lives in isolation with his volatile wife.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 May 2026
Her victory came during a politically volatile period for the city, following fallout from House Bill 2, protests after the police shooting of Keith Lamont Scott and years of turnover at city hall.
—Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 8 May 2026
But markets have remained volatile, amid mixed messages from Washington and Tehran over the state of negotiations.
—Michael Considine, CNBC, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volatile
Adjective
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Known for his unpredictable, edgy behavior and fiery personality, Gritty has expanded the traditional boundaries of what a sports team mascot can be or do.—
Samantha Agate,
Miami Herald,
28 Apr. 2026
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Special legislative sessions are unpredictable, and people on both sides say the Florida fight is far from over, with mistrust of the medical establishment still running high after the COVID-19 pandemic.—
Kerry Sheridan,
NPR,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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An unstable ice block delayed Mount Everest’s climbing season until late April, yet around 464 climbers and their guides remain determined despite the danger and soaring permit costs.—
Binaj Gurubacharya,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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While mixtures of two or three metals were messy and unstable, the five-metal combination paradoxically self-organized into a single, uniform product, streamlining 31 possible chemical outcomes into a single, precise nanocrystal.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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That said, a HELOC has a variable rate that will adapt to market conditions each month, so some variability will need to be priced into any long-term cost projections.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
4 May 2026
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While the interest rates on federal student loans are fixed, many private student loans have variable rates that fluctuate over time, said Nancy Nierman, assistant director at EDCAP.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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When that early foundation is delayed or inconsistent, the effects don’t stay confined to those first years.—
Tina Dello Russo,
Boston Herald,
10 May 2026
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Why is the team suddenly playing stellar defense, after inconsistent performances all season?—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
10 May 2026
Adjective
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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
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Saturday will be the more unsettled weather day.—
Steven Sosna,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
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Among those who have chosen a candidate, incumbent Mayor Karen Bass leads with 25%, followed by Pratt at 11%, and Raman at 9%, underscoring just how unsettled the race remains.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
7 May 2026
Adjective
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The team now plans to further refine the method for broader industrial applications where robots must operate under uncertain or changing conditions.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 May 2026
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In March, Beijing set its lowest growth target in decades, as the world’s second-largest economy grapples with weak domestic demand and an uncertain global outlook.—
Sylvie Zhuang,
CNN Money,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Volatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volatile. Accessed 11 May. 2026.
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