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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

2
3
4

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
And Tech Ops To Prepare Infrastructure AI systems require significant computing power and stable internet access, and failure to provide this can lead to downtime. — Eleonora Liapina, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026 The person was upgraded from critical to stable condition later in the morning, Igoe said. — Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026
Noun
Head coach DeMarcus Harris, who takes over for Ray Gates, will also have a strong stable of running backs and receivers in Kiante Ingram, G’Yrell Smith, Damarion Mays, Hayden Green and Kade Smith. — Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026 The shares are down more than 55% this year, and the global auto giant faces mounting pressure for radical action to counter Chinese competition, repair the damage from costly electric-vehicle missteps and prune an unwieldy stable of brands. — Neil Winton, Forbes.com, 21 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
  • Massimo The truck is built on a sturdy steel frame that’s attached to a coilover suspension system on all four sides.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 25 Sep. 2026
  • Unlike plastic containers, these sturdy steel swaps won’t stain, warp, or hold onto pesky odors.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • However, the Golden State might be a difficult place for retirees focused on affordability to stretch a fixed income.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 27 Sep. 2026
  • What Your Portfolio Is Telling You One of the biggest mistakes retirees can make is treating spending as a fixed number regardless of market conditions.
    — Robert Cannon, Forbes.com, 24 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The chips are power-hungry (a ChatGPT AI query consumes about ten times as much energy as a normal Google search) and also generate a lot of heat, which requires cooling systems.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 27 Sep. 2026
  • On the heels of a normal-sounding nominee for surgeon general comes another normal-sounding nominee for the FDA.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • But then Mehmet is let go from his job teaching esoteric music practices to university students and the household’s sole steady source of income is gone.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Fort Lauderlale’s popular south side beach area, where volleyball nets, grills and the annual Tortuga Music Festival usher in a steady mix of locals and visitors.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The Museum of Broadcast Communications was founded by the late television and radio producer, host, and political analyst Bruce DuMont.
    — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • The former Grand Tour and Top Gear host added that British broadcasters, including the BBC and Channel 4, have to consolidate to survive.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 29 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
  • There’s a strong focus on wellness at this resort, but participation isn’t mandatory.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Sep. 2026
  • The urge to act quickly could be strong, but not every realization needs an immediate dramatic response.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Earlier that year, the Department of Health and Human Services had attempted to freeze certain child-care and family-assistance funding for Illinois and four other states over alleged fraud allegations.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 29 Sep. 2026
  • There are plenty of barricades built with the explicit goal of keeping certain types of artists from access ing those rooms.
    — Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 29 Sep. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stable. Accessed 30 Sep. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster