as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
unpredictable spring weather that makes it really hard to know what to wear
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Recent Examples of unpredictable
The plant blooms only when sufficient energy is accumulated, making time between flowering unpredictable, spanning from a few years to more than a decade, according to the United States Botanic Garden.
—
Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 8 June 2026
Sand, who was unopposed on the primary ballot, learned who his opponent would be after Tuesday’s primary settled an unpredictable five-way Republican contest.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Homes are personal, unpredictable and often cluttered.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Piercing, unpredictable, wailing, the sirens could make anyone feel a little out of their mind.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unpredictable
Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 8 June 2026
Sand, who was unopposed on the primary ballot, learned who his opponent would be after Tuesday’s primary settled an unpredictable five-way Republican contest.
—ABC News, 7 June 2026
Homes are personal, unpredictable and often cluttered.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 6 June 2026
Piercing, unpredictable, wailing, the sirens could make anyone feel a little out of their mind.
—Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 6 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unpredictable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpredictable
Adjective
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Both oil prices and global equities have been volatile on news of negotiations.—
Tal Shalev,
CNN Money,
15 June 2026
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Guarantees and warranties Warranties provide vital financial peace of mind when dealing with volatile seasonal pests summer heat brings out.—
Nick Perry,
USA Today,
14 June 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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As the front moves into very warm, unstable air, some storms could turn severe.—
Eleanor Nash,
Kansas City Star,
12 June 2026
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More growth funded by unstable cash flow can create pressure that does not show up immediately.—
Michael Shribman,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unpredictable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpredictable. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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