Definition of unstablenext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective unstable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unstable are capricious, fickle, inconstant, and mercurial. While all these words mean "lacking firmness or steadiness (as in purpose or devotion)," unstable implies an incapacity for remaining in a fixed position or steady course and applies especially to a lack of emotional balance.

too unstable to hold a job

When can capricious be used instead of unstable?

The synonyms capricious and unstable are sometimes interchangeable, but capricious suggests motivation by sudden whim or fancy and stresses unpredictability.

an utterly capricious critic

When would fickle be a good substitute for unstable?

The words fickle and unstable can be used in similar contexts, but fickle suggests unreliability because of perverse changeability and incapacity for steadfastness.

performers discover how fickle fans can be

When is inconstant a more appropriate choice than unstable?

The words inconstant and unstable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, inconstant implies an incapacity for steadiness and an inherent tendency to change.

an inconstant friend

When could mercurial be used to replace unstable?

Although the words mercurial and unstable have much in common, mercurial implies a rapid changeability in mood.

made anxious by her boss's mercurial temperament

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 unstable Angela Cerreta, deputy head restorer for paintings and wooden materials, told the Art Newspaper that restorers will first attend to unstable paint before cleaning the frescoes with fiber lasers. Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 June 2026 These dependencies present supply chain challenges as some of the import sources are located in adversarial or geopolitically unstable nations. Aditya Jadhav, Interesting Engineering, 26 June 2026 The year 1772 marked a seismic shift from international order to disorder, much as 2022 now seems to betoken the start of a more unstable and dangerous era of international relations. David Armitage, Washington Post, 26 June 2026 The problem is that the foundation supporting the model is unstable. Pabitra Saikia, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
  • Early reviews said that House of the Dragon was at the top of its game in season 3, after a periodically unsteady run before that.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026
  • Sydney is extra unsteady and flustered.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • Related Stories Set in 1948 Malaya in the volatile years that followed the end of World War II, the film traces a Malay soldier and a British soldier who are left behind after the British military withdraws.
    Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 3 July 2026
  • While the rally continued into early 2026, trade soon turned volatile.
    Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • In some studies, gloves not changed between tasks had higher bacterial counts and could transfer germs just as easily as ungloved hands, underscoring the need for frequent changing and proper hand hygiene.
    Evan Moore December 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
  • The rock bridge is an especially precarious structure that’s located on an unofficial section of the trail, the Star-Advertiser reported.
    Sam Gillette, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026
  • This comes at a particularly precarious time for airports, as one of the biggest sporting events in the world is taking place in MIA’s backyard.
    Joshua Ceballos, Miami Herald, 30 June 2026
Adjective
  • Analysts expect gas prices to continue falling but remain unpredictable due to geopolitical tensions.
    Keith Laing, USA Today, 3 July 2026
  • Your personal life could feel crowded, unpredictable and emotionally overwhelming, Scorpio.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026
Adjective
  • If visible pores or uneven texture is a concern for you at all, this primer is the ultimate solution.
    Jenna Curcio, InStyle, 25 June 2026
  • As with that earlier boom-and-bust cycle, the AI landscape is likely to yield uneven outcomes, according to Qian Wang, global head of capital market research at Vanguard, and senior global economist Kevin Khang.
    Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 25 June 2026
Adjective
  • The terrain is rocky, with vineyards clinging to steep limestone slopes, simultaneously warmed by the sun and cooled by salty Adriatic breezes.
    Tia Lovisa Moreira, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
  • On the other side of Dubrovnik’s Old Town is Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, literally carved into a cliff and perched over Miramare Bay’s rocky shore.
    Ramsey Qubein, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • This is a recurring injury for Smith, who has missed five of the last nine games due to varying levels of discomfort in his calf.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Even within a single day, temporary weight shifts are common and are often due to varying levels of fluid retention.
    Lauren O'Connor, Health, 22 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstable. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.

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