as in erratic
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
I wouldn't count on him to show up for the play—he's pretty unreliable. She drives her car locally, but worries it's too unreliable for longer trips.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
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 unreliable
Social media reaction — good or bad, depending on the performance and result — is an unreliable barometer of reality.
—
Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The continent has in recent years drastically cut its reliance on Russian pipeline gas following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but its main source to fill the gap, Washington, has proven unreliable, making homegrown clean power all the more necessary.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Under Newsom, the state budget grew more than 60%, with unreliable revenue streams and unsustainable levels of spending.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
In that space, intuition, which was once dismissed as irrational or unreliable, has started to re-enter the conversation.
—William Jones
january 21, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unreliable
Andy Naylor, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
The continent has in recent years drastically cut its reliance on Russian pipeline gas following Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but its main source to fill the gap, Washington, has proven unreliable, making homegrown clean power all the more necessary.
—Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 27 Jan. 2026
Under Newsom, the state budget grew more than 60%, with unreliable revenue streams and unsustainable levels of spending.
—Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Jan. 2026
In that space, intuition, which was once dismissed as irrational or unreliable, has started to re-enter the conversation.
—William Jones
january 21, Miami Herald, 21 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unreliable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreliable
Adjective
-
Engram’s impact at TE1 was erratic, though, to put it kindly.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Even for a politician known for erratic policy shifts, this swap—of longtime democratic partners that have sacrificed much for America’s benefit in exchange for an authoritarian regime intent on undermining it—is bizarre.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
According to a 2025 market analysis conducted by OfferUp, a mobile marketplace app, 69% of shoppers turn to secondhand when the economy gets shaky.—
Mari Sato The Dallas Morning News,
Arkansas Online,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The nerves that Landfair had been suppressing only show as the interview winds down, letting out a relieved and shaky breath after answering the last question.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Harlem tenants say the heat in their building has been inconsistent for weeks as a dangerous cold spell grips New York City.—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Injuries appeared inconsistent with ICE account The AP interviewed a doctor and five nurses who work at Hennepin County Medical Center who spoke on condition of anonymity to talk about Castañeda Mondragón’s case and conditions inside the hospital.—
Jack Brook,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
But while the stock market is often a fickle friend, as are commodities such as oil and natural gas, wheat and corn, part of what was so shocking in 2022 was the simultaneous slump in government and corporate bonds, which proved as undependable as stocks.—
,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Food, water and other resources would have to be shipped from home, at distances that make the supply frighteningly undependable.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
16 Oct. 2024
Adjective
-
An untrustworthy future tempts us to either disengage, retreat into cynicism, or live angry.—
Phillip Halpern,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Jan. 2026
-
Within hours lies were flowing, predictably from a lawless and untrustworthy president and his dishonest DHS secretary, who blamed the victim in direct contradiction of video evidence.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
12 Jan. 2026
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
-
Complaints about low wages and unpredictable schedules for associates were rising.—
Evan Clark,
Footwear News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
That will entail the coöperation of finance and industry, which, weary of the current Administration’s volatile economic and foreign policy, are likely to support a challenger who can steady the boat.—
Nathan Heller,
New Yorker,
1 Feb. 2026
-
The deep, indomitable and occasionally volatile Penguins soared again on Saturday.—
Josh Yohe,
New York Times,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As a new Fortune magazine feature reveals, the gold hoarding reflects a belief on the part of Tether’s CEO that Western economies are unraveling and that his firm can be an anchor of stability in an unstable world.—
Carlos Garcia,
Fortune,
30 Jan. 2026
-
As stocks become unstable, precious metals are usually a safe bet for investors.—
Itzel Franco,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unreliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreliable. Accessed 7 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
