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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unstable
Desire, attention and performance begin to collapse into one another until the distinction between observer and participant becomes unstable.
—
Andrew S. Jacobson, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
For Chinese policymakers, managing a competitor that is both strategically powerful and politically unstable may prove more difficult than dealing with one that is consistent, if adversarial.
—Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Home video was unstable but a huge growth area, especially for international.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 13 May 2026
But for more than two weeks, a massive and unstable block of ice, or serac, stalled them from moving farther up the peak.
—Pasang Rinzee Sherpa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Andrew S. Jacobson, Baltimore Sun, 13 May 2026
For Chinese policymakers, managing a competitor that is both strategically powerful and politically unstable may prove more difficult than dealing with one that is consistent, if adversarial.
—Yu Jie, Time, 13 May 2026
Home video was unstable but a huge growth area, especially for international.
—Matt Donnelly, Variety, 13 May 2026
But for more than two weeks, a massive and unstable block of ice, or serac, stalled them from moving farther up the peak.
—Pasang Rinzee Sherpa, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
-
In a half hour or so, the newborn gathers itself and stands unsteady on wobbly legs.—
Susan Koch,
Chicago Tribune,
8 May 2026
-
Deborah’s relationship — with Frank, with the series, with her own legacy — is a volatile, unsteady thing, where pride and resentment, gratitude and hunger, are always battling it out.—
Jessica M. Goldstein,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Outperformance in the next decade won’t come from lower costs, but instead from the ability to keep operating when markets turn volatile.—
Victor Nian,
Fortune,
10 May 2026
-
It’s destined to be remembered as one of the most volatile and surprising political contests modern-day California has ever seen.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 May 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
-
Hollywood is in a precarious place.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
12 May 2026
-
While white collar jobs, particularly those highly exposed to AI, seem more precarious by the day, AI’s infrastructure needs to have Huang and others pointing to the roles traditionally considered blue collar as perhaps the wise choice for new grads.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
Adjective
-
Intercepting Mach 5 hypersonic weapons in space Hypersonic weapons, traveling at speeds of Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) and above with unpredictable maneuvers, pose significant challenges to traditional missile defenses.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
12 May 2026
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Prices are subject to rapid, unpredictable changes due to factors like, but not limited to, supply/demand, weather, and geopolitical events.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
12 May 2026
Adjective
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These Italian suede sneakers feature a durable gum sole that’s perfect for a long day of walking without tripping over cobblestones or uneven pavement.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
-
Elsewhere, shopping was uneven.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 May 2026
Adjective
-
After a rocky run under AT&T, WarnerMedia was then merged with Discovery Communications in a $43 billion deal that closed in 2022.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
13 May 2026
-
After a rocky start to their courtship, Kristen teaches the skateboard-loving, aquaphobic young man the art — and colonial history — of surfing.—
Marya E. Gates,
IndieWire,
13 May 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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstable. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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