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
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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
Does your ankle wobble excessively or feel unstable?
—
Dana Santas, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
When these magnetic structures become unstable, the prominence can erupt, hurling plasma out into space.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025
In 2022, four people fell from the same cliffside, one of whom died, prompting warnings from officials about unstable ground.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
In addition to being constructed in a zone vulnerable to a major earthquake, the hospital sits in a low-lying plain just blocks from the waterfront, on unstable ground.
—Katia Riddle, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Dana Santas, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025
When these magnetic structures become unstable, the prominence can erupt, hurling plasma out into space.
—Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 5 Nov. 2025
In 2022, four people fell from the same cliffside, one of whom died, prompting warnings from officials about unstable ground.
—Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Nov. 2025
In addition to being constructed in a zone vulnerable to a major earthquake, the hospital sits in a low-lying plain just blocks from the waterfront, on unstable ground.
—Katia Riddle, NPR, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
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Where Aytaç was large but poised, Abdi was insubstantial, scrawny, and unsteady on his feet.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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If something feels unsteady or on shaky ground, it will be revealed — not to break you, but to rebuild something stronger.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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First, the electrodes and electrolytes are adjusted to handle high temperatures, specifically replacing the volatile liquid electrolyte used in traditional Li batteries.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Nov. 2025
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Taking the long view Many finance leaders remain cautious, viewing bitcoin as too volatile—especially recently—compared to traditional assets.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Jekalyn x The Legends arrives amid a precarious period for gospel music, especially considering five-time Grammy winner Chandler Moore’s bombshell exit from Maverick City Music and the top-selling group’s co-founder’s recent controversial comments.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
6 Nov. 2025
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It’s been precarious the whole time.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This combination allows for precise navigation in tight or unpredictable environments.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Nov. 2025
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Tinker was brilliant, unpredictable, and slightly unhinged.—
Henry Selick,
IndieWire,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Future work will focus on integrating snow-deposition modeling with PV yield simulations to more accurately predict energy losses and on expanding analyses to more complex, uneven alpine terrain.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Nov. 2025
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The Trojans' uneven season hasn't exactly helped slow rumors either.—
Rowan Fisher-Shotton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater (1937) remains the most famous example—a home literally suspended over a waterfall, designed in reverence to its rocky surroundings.—
Leonora Epstein,
Architectural Digest,
7 Nov. 2025
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However, the company has had a rocky year.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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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
Adjective
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This motion is typically caused when the unbalanced drum makes contact with the inside of the washing machine or when severe vibrations cause the machine to shift across the floor.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
6 Nov. 2025
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That allows the president to impose tariffs of up to 15% for up to 150 days in response to unbalanced trade.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstable. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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