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
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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unstable
There are no lifeguards, and the area features challenging terrain, including unstable cliffs and bluffs.
—
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025
As for the Fed’s role in prices, whether stable or unstable, the mere discussion isn’t serious.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
To do this, the team used a robotic arm equipped with a force and torque sensor to measure air flow in hundreds of spots inside a short model duct to build up a map that shows the unstable danger points in a circular duct and safer ones where the air currents cancel one another out.
—David Szondy
august 02, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2025
Various threats could cause the remains of the English warship Northumberland to become unstable.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025
As for the Fed’s role in prices, whether stable or unstable, the mere discussion isn’t serious.
—John Tamny, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
To do this, the team used a robotic arm equipped with a force and torque sensor to measure air flow in hundreds of spots inside a short model duct to build up a map that shows the unstable danger points in a circular duct and safer ones where the air currents cancel one another out.
—David Szondy
august 02, New Atlas, 2 Aug. 2025
Various threats could cause the remains of the English warship Northumberland to become unstable.
—Jade Walker, CNN Money, 1 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
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The Dolphins also didn’t invest in a safety turning 29 this season who is coming off an unsteady year or two in Pittsburgh.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 July 2025
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But its lessons may be useful in these unsteady days, too, with our own uncivil Court.—
Amy Davidson Sorkin,
New Yorker,
27 July 2025
Adjective
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Not too happy about the volatile nature of PLTR stock?—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 3.1%, up from 2.9% in June.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Golden State Valkyries (15-15) find themselves in a precarious position, currently sitting in the No. 8 seed in the WNBA and in need of wins to strengthen their playoff chances.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
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Given this precarious financial position, Lamont had a clear alternative during negotiations with state unions.—
Frank Ricci,
Hartford Courant,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The best time for aurora spotting is 2 am, when the sky is likely to be the darkest, but since the arrival of the solar storm is unpredictable, it's recommended to look throughout the night for the event.—
Staff Author,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Aug. 2025
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Anyone who has traveled by plane has at least experienced one unpredictable and inconvenient delay or cancellation in their plans.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Back in April, Ulta had already slowed its rollout within Target, citing uneven returns and operational friction in certain locations.—
Brian Delp,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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From the outside, staying in these uneven dynamics can look like passivity or even low self-esteem.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Scientists believe the geology of Mars may hold valuable clues about past ancient life, and so the robotic vehicles, controlled remotely from Earth, have slowly navigated the rocky terrain to scoop up and collect intriguing samples.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
15 Aug. 2025
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Interface design software company Figma (NYSE:FIG) has had a rocky ride over the last few weeks, despite a stellar debut on the public markets last month.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Inspect mature trees with heavy or unbalanced limbs, which should be pruned or supported by cabling or bracing (a service provided by arborists).—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 Aug. 2025
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This is primarily due to an unbalanced shift to new generation sources requiring 24/7 backup from traditional generation sources, which were too soon taken out of service based on specious assumptions about a trace atmospheric gas.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
2 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstable. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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