stable 1 of 3

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
Photos posted to social media by Cal Fire's San Bernardino Unit showed crews battling flames and horses in stables amid the thick smoke settling over the area. Brian Day, USA Today, 12 June 2025 Godolphin is one of the winningest stables in the game and Bill Mott has won over 5,000 races. Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 11 June 2025
Noun
Total control The group’s headquarters was a sprawling compound complete with horse stables in the town of Rawang, a 30-minute drive from the capital Kuala Lumpur. Teele Rebane, CNN, 1 Feb. 2025 The pumphouse campus once had a machine shop, storehouse, carriage house and stables and a brick-making kiln. Jacques Kelly, Baltimore Sun, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
These types of businesses are particularly well-positioned for public listing due to their strong cash flows, large customer bases, and stable business models that appeal to traditional investors. Cloris Chen, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025 Homeownership is the foundation of strong, stable communities. Renee Clark, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for stable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stable
Adjective
  • The Gritti’s dock-manager to Grazer’s left, foreground right in the shot, may be suspicious that his sturdy right elbow, offered for support during that parlous little leap from land to sea, is being roundly ignored.
    Guy Martin, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
  • Some Outdoor Furniture Although sturdy plastic, metal, or resin outdoor furniture is fine to pressure wash, pieces crafted from natural materials, such as wicker and teak, are much too delicate.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 June 2025
Adjective
  • There’s also bread-making forest hikes, and no fixed schedule.
    Jordi Lippe-McGraw, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • In most matches, there is no fixed point in attack.
    Jack Lang, New York Times, 9 June 2025
Adjective
  • Deloitte’s Global Resilience Report, based on surveys of over 2,000 CEOs and 6,000 executives, found that 62% view ongoing disruption as the new normal.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • If the war in Ukraine is to be contained and ultimately resolved, Europe will have to make clear to Beijing that normal commercial relations cannot coexist with China’s support for a war against the European security order.
    Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Adjective
  • To the gag order and constant annoyance with any attention the case gets.
    Anna Commander, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • There Are No Measurable Outcomes From Experiments A key red flag is constant experimentation or tech adoption without measurable outcomes.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • While there are plenty of restaurants at your doorstep, Bairro Alto Hotel is host to its own worthy dining establishments, like BAHR & Terrace, which was created by Michelin Star chef Nuno Mendes and the more casual rooftop restaurant.
    Monica Mendal, Vogue, 1 July 2025
  • Continue reading … 'ON A ROLL' – CNN host admits Trump is 'winning' with recent administration successes.
    , FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • But, with three dogs already, homing another pooch felt unsustainable.
    Lydia Patrick, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
  • At the end of most nights, the restaurant allowed Gordon to take slices and some other entrees home free of charge.
    Chandler Rome, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • As the United States hurtles toward the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding on July 4, 1776, certain subjects seem to dominate the iconography of American independence.
    Karin Wulf, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 July 2025
  • Local officials worry they could even be charged for certain votes on city or county councils.
    The NPR Network, NPR, 1 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stable. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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