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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unreliable
Some suspect that the idea proposed by Maslov and Shpinel really belonged to their professor, Fritz Lange, but was signed by Maslov because, as a member of the Communist Party, he was trusted by the authorities more than the unreliable German émigré.
—
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Defense lawyers did not call any witnesses and said that the core of the case, military statements taken over 50 years ago, were manifestly unreliable, with no independent supporting evidence offered to back the prosecution case.
—CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
It's been a consistently reliable genre in the decades since, pairing mental anguish and unreliable perspectives with nightmarish imagery and terrors that lie just beyond our perceptions.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
The casting of Goth in dual roles as both Victor’s mother and Elizabeth further contributes to the unreliable narration.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unreliable
Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2025
Defense lawyers did not call any witnesses and said that the core of the case, military statements taken over 50 years ago, were manifestly unreliable, with no independent supporting evidence offered to back the prosecution case.
—CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025
It's been a consistently reliable genre in the decades since, pairing mental anguish and unreliable perspectives with nightmarish imagery and terrors that lie just beyond our perceptions.
—Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Oct. 2025
The casting of Goth in dual roles as both Victor’s mother and Elizabeth further contributes to the unreliable narration.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unreliable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreliable
Adjective
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Even when participants’ average blood pressure seemed healthy, those with the most erratic readings — combined with stiffer arteries — showed telltale signs of brain aging, the study found.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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Think of the harms of erratic schedules akin to the way dripping water can erode stone.—
Allison Aubrey,
NPR,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Vikings defense rediscovered its aggressive ways, too, with linebacker Eric Wilson constantly plucking at the Lions’ shaky interior.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
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While potentially shakier data may cause volatility in markets later this week, for now ignorance appears to be bliss.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
This is all so inconsistent and bizarre.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
3 Nov. 2025
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The punt unit has been inconsistent at best, and the return units are costing Michigan field position every week.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
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
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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
-
If no one told you to watch for something, treat it as untrustworthy until confirmed.—
Ken Colburn,
AZCentral.com,
13 Oct. 2025
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In law, the tactic of claiming an accuser is unreliable or untrustworthy is known as impeaching the witness.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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This combination allows for precise navigation in tight or unpredictable environments.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Tinker was brilliant, unpredictable, and slightly unhinged.—
Henry Selick,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
First, the electrodes and electrolytes are adjusted to handle high temperatures, specifically replacing the volatile liquid electrolyte used in traditional Li batteries.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
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Taking the long view Many finance leaders remain cautious, viewing bitcoin as too volatile—especially recently—compared to traditional assets.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Tailless designs are inherently unstable, and thrust vectoring can maximize performance across the flight envelope, including at high altitudes, the report noted.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Nov. 2025
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New refugees continue to arrive every day as conditions in South Sudan remain unstable.—
Fatma Tanis,
NPR,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unreliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreliable. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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