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.
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Recent Examples of unreliable
In all cases, the backers have cast the efforts as the state stepping in where an unreliable federal partner has stepped back.
—
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
This would not be the first time unreliable AI systems have been used in warfare.
—Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
The war unfolding in the region is perhaps the biggest real-world test to date of how resilient maritime navigation and monitoring are when satellite positioning becomes unreliable.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
But the 70-year-old coliseum and auditorium are operating on outdated mechanical systems that are increasingly unreliable, according to the tourism authority.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unreliable
Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 8 Mar. 2026
This would not be the first time unreliable AI systems have been used in warfare.
—Parmy Olson, Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2026
The war unfolding in the region is perhaps the biggest real-world test to date of how resilient maritime navigation and monitoring are when satellite positioning becomes unreliable.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 6 Mar. 2026
But the 70-year-old coliseum and auditorium are operating on outdated mechanical systems that are increasingly unreliable, according to the tourism authority.
—Charlotte Observer, 5 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unreliable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreliable
Adjective
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Oviedo has been excellent in each of his last two outings after a somewhat erratic spring debut, most recently striking out four over 3 1/3 scoreless innings in Saturday’s win over the Rays.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
8 Mar. 2026
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But the woman’s time on the stand was also contentious and erratic at times.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Now, a new study suggests researchers globally may have built these plans on a shaky foundation.—
Marcos Magaña,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Fuentes was shaky at first, plunking Orioles third baseman Colin Yeaman with his third pitch.—
Chad Bishop,
AJC.com,
7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For a while, cities across Kentucky were inconsistent, with some observing the time change and others not.—
Chris Sims,
Louisville Courier Journal,
7 Mar. 2026
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Progress to close the gender pay gap has been slow and inconsistent.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And then there’s Kimberly’s home life, which features an emotionally and physically fragile mom preparing to give birth and an undependable alcoholic father.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
25 Feb. 2026
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Yasmin, who was ousted from Pierpoint after a tabloid scandal involving her publishing-magnate father threatened to sully the bank by association, has turned to another undependable man for salvation, proposing to an aristocratic failson called Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington).—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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There’s just something instantly untrustworthy about Sidney’s neighbor and friend, to the extent that her eventual reveal feels more inevitable than shocking.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
27 Feb. 2026
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An evil global cabal, an ineffectual justice system, the exercise of unchecked power by untrustworthy experts—these are familiar themes.—
Joshua Rothman,
New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Strengthening the layers Epoch 2 solves the problem of unpredictable missile paths by using high-tech heat sensors and laser communication.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
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Revenue hinges on capital gains from investments, bonuses to executives and windfalls from new stock offerings, all of which are grossly unpredictable.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Asian shares slide in a volatile session.—
Nasteho Said,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
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The dismal report comes at a volatile time for the economy, as the war in Iran risks reigniting inflation.—
J.D. Capelouto,
semafor.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is why the price may soon surpass a new record, even with other market conditions unstable.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
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This novel explores the unique bond that siblings in unstable families can form, and is especially shrewd on how sisters define themselves in negative space.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unreliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreliable. Accessed 14 Mar. 2026.
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