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.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unreliable
There were days their hitters faltered, their starters struggled, their relievers were unreliable.
—
Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025
Nonetheless, ever-shifting directives from the White House — including at least a temporary freeze on tens of millions of dollars that Congress had set aside to quickly get people off the street — has made government aid especially unreliable.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Editors’ Picks Some of those tools were used on Friday when China responded to Mr. Trump’s tariffs by putting 11 American companies on an unreliable entities list, and another 16 on an export control list.
—David Pierson, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Early polling is often deemed unreliable as the political climate is rapidly changing.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unreliable
Marc Topkin, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2025
Nonetheless, ever-shifting directives from the White House — including at least a temporary freeze on tens of millions of dollars that Congress had set aside to quickly get people off the street — has made government aid especially unreliable.
—Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
Editors’ Picks Some of those tools were used on Friday when China responded to Mr. Trump’s tariffs by putting 11 American companies on an unreliable entities list, and another 16 on an export control list.
—David Pierson, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2025
Early polling is often deemed unreliable as the political climate is rapidly changing.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 4 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unreliable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreliable
Adjective
-
In the meantime, crowds braved erratic weather for a festive opening weekend, and even early on a Monday morning, neighbors had already begun to converge, attracted by the new sod, tender trees, and open plaza that makes this 165-year-old wedge of nature look fresh and young again.—
Justin Davidson,
Curbed,
28 Apr. 2025
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But Trump’s erratic purge of the federal workforce has undermined those very efforts.—
Brian Bennett,
Time,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Then Mitchell got hot in the clutch, scoring nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from three-point range in overtime after a shaky first half that included 0-of-4 shooting from the field.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
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By pushing the deportation debate, Trump is keeping the focus away from the negative economic news that has dented his approval rating thanks to the shaky rollout of his tariff plans and the ensuing roller coaster results in the stock markets.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
After an inconsistent first half of the season, manager Unai Emery has found a way of tinkering with Villa’s line-up and still winning.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
21 Apr. 2025
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Even so, the practice of choosing a papal name remained inconsistent for the next 1,000 years, with most popes using their baptismal names.—
Christopher Watson,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 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
-
The suit also paints a clownish portrait of the entrepreneur, portraying him as pompous, shameless, and untrustworthy.—
Rachel Corbett,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2025
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This acronym stands for All Women Are Like That and is used to promote the idea that all women are inherently untrustworthy or manipulative.—
Samantha Mann,
Parents,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The source said Republicans view Powell as an important pillar of stability in the U.S. economy amid Trump’s unpredictable tariff war against foreign trading partners, including allies such as Canada, Japan, South Korean and Taiwan.—
Alexander Bolton,
The Hill,
22 Apr. 2025
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Spring temps can be unpredictable, so don’t forget to add on a pashmina-style shawl and some statement earrings.—
Jené Luciani Sena,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Over the past four years, SOFI's annual returns have been considerably more volatile than the S&P 500, with returns of 27% in 2021, -71% in 2022, 116% in 2023, and 55% in 2024.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
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Income tax is more volatile and susceptible to the ups and downs within the economy, Greller said.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Rigid robots are prone to damage in unstable, cramped environments and are expensive to repair.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
28 Apr. 2025
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Remember: Antioxidants can slow aging and prevent skin damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals.—
Danielle Jackson,
Glamour,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unreliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreliable. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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