stable 1 of 3

Definition of stablenext
1
as in sturdy
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion the observation tower is stable enough to withstand the strongest winds without collapsing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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stable

2 of 3

noun

stable

3 of 3

verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stable are durable, lasting, and permanent. While all these words mean "enduring for so long as to seem fixed or established," stable implies lastingness because of resistance to being overturned or displaced.

a stable government

When might durable be a better fit than stable?

The synonyms durable and stable are sometimes interchangeable, but durable implies power to resist destructive agencies.

durable fabrics

When is it sensible to use lasting instead of stable?

The words lasting and stable can be used in similar contexts, but lasting implies a capacity to continue indefinitely.

a book that left a lasting impression on me

When would permanent be a good substitute for stable?

While the synonyms permanent and stable are close in meaning, permanent adds usually the implication of being designed or planned to stand or continue indefinitely.

permanent living arrangements

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 stable
Adjective
Fans did the New Day clap in anticipation for the popular former WWE stable, and Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods answered the bell, joining Swerve Strickland as the wildcard team. Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026 Beyond being a relatively wealthy, stable and democratic country with vast fishing grounds, Iceland could have joined the bloc relatively quickly. Kwiyeon Ha, Fortune, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
Screenshots shared with The Charlotte Observer by Moore show that Bogan repeatedly messaged Reform Stables’ business associates or fellow event organizers with animal abuse allegations against the stable and Moore, and insulted him online. Amber Gaudet updated August 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Aug. 2026 Its stable also includes notable franchises like Power, Hunger Games, John Wick and Saw. Dade Hayes, Deadline, 12 Aug. 2026
Verb
Experience, leadership, someone that can stable (sic) the vote. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026 But in its fourth year, the Bahrain Turf Series — under the stewardship of Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa — has opened up an easy pathway for international horses to compete, especially from UK stables more accustomed to grass than dirt. Camilla Wright, semafor.com, 17 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stable
Adjective
  • Natural and lab-grown diamonds are sturdy enough to hold up to everyday wear, with gems like sapphire and moissanite right behind them.
    Larissa Ratschkowski, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026
  • These sturdy and reliable machines are great for both knocking out homework and streaming Netflix, with a big 24-inch FHD monitor that boasts good brightness and wide viewing angles.
    K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • For clients like Edward White, who is on a fixed income, the service is a critical lifeline.
    Manuel Bojorquez, CBS News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Importantly, all of these rhythms stack on top of each other and interact, meaning that resilience is never a fixed state but rather more of a dynamic balance between a person’s mental and physical capacities and the demands placed on them.
    Masha Remskar, The Conversation, 26 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Although Edouard is not forecast to become a hurricane, the hurricane center has warned coastal residents to closely monitor the forecast as the storm is in an area of warmer than normal water and low wind shear, which favor strengthening.
    Doyle Rice, USA Today, 1 Sep. 2026
  • That change was introduced to help give club staff working across transfer departments a more normal working pattern.
    Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • This reduces the urgency for the ECB to continue raising interest rates in July, with markets now leaning toward the view that the ECB will hold rates steady this month.
    , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hammack voted to raise rates at the Fed’s last meeting in July, but she was outvoted by fellow members of the Federal Open Market Committee who wanted to keep them steady.
    Brian Cheung, NBC news, 28 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Clubs across Europe are frantically attempting to wrap up their summer business, with a host of high-profile deals in the works.
    Leon Imber, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Terry Terry Bradshaw won four Super Bowls as the quarterback of the Pittsburgh Steelers—a record at the time—and has been a co-host on Fox NFL Sunday since 1994.
    Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Tail Town works with Kitten Rescue Los Angeles to home adoptable cats.
    Solvej Schou, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026
  • As a result, Rodriguez has an opportunity to home again tonight after doing so last night.
    Josh Shepardson, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
Adjective
  • Davis delivered a strong preseason, but he is now likely headed to a redshirt rookie season unless injuries strike at tackle.
    Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • There’s no denying that the fall 2026 runways made a strong case for color; even the street style scene is on board, slipping into colorful shoes and sporting handbags in a variety of vibrant shades—baby pink, chartreuse, and cobalt.
    Laura Jackson, Vogue, 31 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • But there’s also still room to grow, and certain structural issues as a result of this eight-ish-episodes-per-year format.
    Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • OpenAI announcing that its upcoming AI model, dubbed Astra, breaches certain cybersecurity thresholds and will have throttled-back cyber capabilities when released.
    Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stable. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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