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
The story is told by the cynical (and unreliable) film scout Striker, often in hallucinations and flashbacks.
—
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Living in New Orleans during the early recovery period, when basic infrastructure remained unreliable after the storm, was challenging.
—Dian Zhang, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
As Vanguard researchers note, the prevalence of automatic enrollment means that more workers than ever now have workplace plans — especially those with inconsistent or unreliable income.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
The fish are currently held back by unreliable electrical barriers near Romeoville.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unreliable
Lizz Schumer, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025
Living in New Orleans during the early recovery period, when basic infrastructure remained unreliable after the storm, was challenging.
—Dian Zhang, USA Today, 29 Aug. 2025
As Vanguard researchers note, the prevalence of automatic enrollment means that more workers than ever now have workplace plans — especially those with inconsistent or unreliable income.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 29 Aug. 2025
The fish are currently held back by unreliable electrical barriers near Romeoville.
—Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unreliable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreliable
Adjective
-
Between February and May, when Dudek’s tenure ended, his erratic rhetoric and decisions routinely made front-page news.—
Eli Hager,
ProPublica,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Dyrdhal knew all too well Gooden’s penchant for erratic violence.—
Mara H. Gottfried,
Twin Cities,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The feature, designed to steady shaky footage, became a lifeline for people with Parkinson’s.—
Bill Schiffmiller,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Though the Administration likely had numerous gripes about Sherald’s reimagining of what is maybe the most recognizable American symbol, the controversy demonstrates the shaky future of trans art.—
Grace Byron,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
For an island whose economy has long wrestled with the effects and aftershocks of natural disasters, fiscal crises, and inconsistent tourism, this is a very significant boost.—
Doug Melville,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
-
All of these changes lead to reduced and inconsistent blood flow within your blood vessels and may increase the likelihood of blood clots.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
8 Sep. 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
-
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
-
Women are greedy, untrustworthy, weak and inferior, these influencers say.—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
-
Trump is pressuring Powell to cut interest rates in hopes of lowering borrowing costs, and his allies have highlighted cost overruns to suggest that Powell is untrustworthy or should be removed from his position.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Fall is a beautiful time to go hiking, but with the colorful foliage comes dropping temperatures, rainy days, and unpredictable weather.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Several party officials argued Kaegi’s valuations were unpredictable and faulted his management of certain tax breaks.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Yet last week’s warning from Jet2, a business respected for its cost control and excellent customer service, has served as a reminder that, for all the impressive growth of recent years, this remains a volatile and sometimes unpredictable sector.—
Ian King,
CNBC,
10 Sep. 2025
-
While any single month can be volatile and revisions can further change our understanding, hiring ground to a halt in May and June in the uncertain aftermath of the Liberation Day tariff announcements.—
Jeffrey Schulze,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The situation at home was unstable.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Companies that lean too far in one direction risk either frustrating users with delays or damaging trust with unstable or inaccurate outputs.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unreliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreliable. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share