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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unstable
In April of this year, Kessler and Hugh Lewis, professor of astronautics at the University of Birmingham, in England, presented their latest models, concluding that space junk orbiting between 400 and 1,000 kilometers—where most low Earth satellites operate—is already unstable.
—
IEEE Spectrum, 30 Sep. 2025
Those settlers managed to make an underground river with murderous maggots on unstable terrain into a tourist attraction in record time.
—Ann Patchett, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
If your knees hurt as a result of a traumatic accident or acute event, if the joint feels really unstable, or if there’s lots of swelling and bruising, then you get checked out by a doctor.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
Gun violence, social media, and an unstable economy all contribute to their mental health struggles.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
IEEE Spectrum, 30 Sep. 2025
Those settlers managed to make an underground river with murderous maggots on unstable terrain into a tourist attraction in record time.
—Ann Patchett, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
If your knees hurt as a result of a traumatic accident or acute event, if the joint feels really unstable, or if there’s lots of swelling and bruising, then you get checked out by a doctor.
—Jenny McCoy, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025
Gun violence, social media, and an unstable economy all contribute to their mental health struggles.
—Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
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House of Guinness tends to be wise about the ways both business and family are built over an unsteady and ever-changing series of negotiations for power and status.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
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What the map did not show was that few hikers attempt this route due to its exposure and the extra time, water, and stamina required of a lengthy and strenuous Class II scramble up and down a trio of ever-taller unnamed 13,000-foot mountains of loose talus and unsteady granite blocks.—
Ted Katauskas,
Outside,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Prosecutors had previously argued Collins posed a danger for bringing a weapon into a volatile setting, though Kling maintained his client never brandished the firearm.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Oct. 2025
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Trump’s trade war has thrown the global trade status quo into disarray, and investors are looking to move their assets from more volatile paper currency.—
Ramishah Maruf,
CNN Money,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That’s because the economy is already in a precarious state, with the labor market struggling, consumers losing confidence and uncertainty mounting.—
John W. Diamond,
The Conversation,
2 Oct. 2025
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Yet, the announcement couldn't have come at a more precarious time.—
Rodney Carmichael,
NPR,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Prepare for mood swings as the moon clashes with unpredictable Uranus.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
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The Roval is among the most unpredictable races on the NASCAR calendar.—
Shane Connuck
October 3,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The piece is crafted from solid poplar wood, finished with a white wash, and sits on top of sturdy iron legs, which have adjustable levels to accommodate uneven floors or area rugs.—
Maggie Horton,
PEOPLE,
4 Oct. 2025
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Broader trends suggest an uneven labor market, with professions like health care continuing to thrive while other fields lag, Stahle said.—
Jeff Cox,
CNBC,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The belt, which marks the boundary between the inner rocky planets and the outer gas giants, is as old as the solar system itself.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
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The mighty Mercury is a storied franchise with three championship titles earned during Diana Taurasi’s legendary tenure in The Valley, but recent years have been a bit rocky.—
Devin Robertson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Terry Francona The manager did not get his team to a victory in the unbalanced series, but his ability to return from a year off from the game to deliver a playoff spot to the Red for the first time since 2020 is impressive.—
Tim Crowley,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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If your microbiome is unbalanced between beneficial and harmful microbes, probiotics can help introduce healthy microbes back into your body.—
Isabel Vasquez RD LDN,
Health,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstable. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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