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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unstable
Born in Memphis in 1941, Maurice endured an unstable childhood marked by separation and loss.
—
Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
However, their performance has been hindered by unstable zinc deposition and unwanted reactions between zinc electrodes and water during charging and discharging.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026
Culverts can become unstable and unsafe.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026
Heavy, unstable liquids can also be stored without the massive financial and environmental costs of, for example, deep-freeze air freight.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Jordan Runtagh, PEOPLE, 11 June 2026
However, their performance has been hindered by unstable zinc deposition and unwanted reactions between zinc electrodes and water during charging and discharging.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 10 June 2026
Culverts can become unstable and unsafe.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026
Heavy, unstable liquids can also be stored without the massive financial and environmental costs of, for example, deep-freeze air freight.
—Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
-
Oil prices have been unsteady as hopes rise and fade that the United States and Iran can reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
-
Fledglings can look unsteady or weak, but the parents are nearby for protection.—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
Adjective
-
Mario Tama | Getty Images Global stock markets remain volatile amid uncertainty in the Middle East and a focus on artificial intelligence stocks.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
7 June 2026
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But beyond this picturesque scene, there is a volatile combination of brutal rebel violence and a burgeoning Ebola outbreak.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
6 June 2026
Adjective
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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
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In a recent rapid assessment in India, where tariffs rose to as much as 50 percent last year, AFWA found that suppliers absorbing cost increases passed them on to their employees through rising workloads, precarious wages and other hallmarks of deepening exploitation.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
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In the political landscape that Tate helped create, women hold an increasingly precarious position.—
Heidi Blake,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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The two men emerged from a crowded field of candidates in the most unpredictable governor’s race in more than a quarter of a century.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 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,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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These Black Diamond poles help take pressure off knees and joints during steep descents while providing extra stability on uneven terrain.—
Francesca Krempa,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
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His central finding is that task-level productivity gains are real but do not automatically translate to firm-level or economy-wide effects — and that the historical analogy to electrification suggests transformation will be slow, uneven, and dependent on complementary investment.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Approved by George Washington and first illuminated in 1791, the lighthouse predates Maine’s statehood and remains an active aid to navigation on the rocky coast of Maine.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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After a rocky election night that showed the tax lagging, supporters claimed victory Tuesday after the latest vote tally pushed Measure ER further over the 50% margin needed to pass.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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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 13 Jun. 2026.
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