1
as in unsteady
not being in or able to maintain a state of balance
the minute we put the books down on the unstable desk, the whole stack went crashing to the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
financial investors don't like an unstable economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in changing
not staying constant
unstable temperatures are not ideal storage conditions for wine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Lowers Chronic Disease Risk Orange juice is rich in antioxidants, compounds that help prevent cell damage from unstable molecules called free radicals, a process known as oxidative stress.
—
Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2025
That’s not the case with this gentle toner from Renee Rouleau, which calls on antioxidant elderberry to neutralize free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging), fight hyperpigmentation, and help promote collagen production.
—Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
And while none of the above needs to be an immediate worry of the NFL’s, college football a competitor/collaborator, in an unstable state, with direct impact on the league’s future.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Macbeth, also an unstable Scottish king, blames the witches for the ills caused by his own murderous decisions.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 4 Sep. 2025
That’s not the case with this gentle toner from Renee Rouleau, which calls on antioxidant elderberry to neutralize free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging), fight hyperpigmentation, and help promote collagen production.
—Esme Benjamin, PEOPLE, 4 Sep. 2025
And while none of the above needs to be an immediate worry of the NFL’s, college football a competitor/collaborator, in an unstable state, with direct impact on the league’s future.
—Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 3 Sep. 2025
Macbeth, also an unstable Scottish king, blames the witches for the ills caused by his own murderous decisions.
—Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
-
Bator cites both external factors (such as geopolitical conflicts or the unsteady global economy) and internal ones (such as burnout and uncertainty).—
Mark C. Perna,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
-
On the game’s fourth play, the Michigan transfer got up after a 3-yard rush on a keeper and wobbled off the field on unsteady legs.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 Aug. 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
-
Cracker Barrel’s position is more tentative, more precarious.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
That‘s led to an artist like Thug wanting to be perceived as a gangster more than a savvy businessman, even with a precarious 15-year probation over his head.—
Andre Gee,
Rolling Stone,
3 Sep. 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
-
Even when Clark returned, her performance was uneven.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
This helps smooth out fingerprints or uneven spots, giving the frame a more professional look.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Given the steep, rocky terrain and limited dozer access, hand crews and aviation resources will remain the primary suppression tools.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
-
The coral was seen growing out of the rocky bottom of the sea from a depth of about 2,200 feet, but near the region known as the deepest reaches of the ocean, the Mariana Trench.—
Irene Wright,
Miami Herald,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Collective grading isn’t fair yet considering the teams have faced unbalanced competition, but two games provide a window into how each passer has settled into the season.—
Scott Dochterman,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Airflow is often unbalanced, duct leakage is higher than expected and controls may not be calibrated.—
Brynn Cooksey,
Forbes.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstable. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share