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
Wilson’s injury came at a particularly unstable time for the Aces with other players on pregnancy leave and dealing with injuries of their own.
—
Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 1 July 2025
Antioxidants can help combat free radicals, unstable molecules that damage the body’s cells and can lead to cancer.2
Small amounts of fluoride, folate, vitamin A, vitamin K, and beta-carotene can be found in raw tomatoes.
—Andrea Michelson, Verywell Health, 30 June 2025
Antioxidants can prevent cell damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals.1211
Note that pickles are high in sodium, which may be an issue for people with high blood pressure.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 24 June 2025
But in chronic pain, the bridge between these proteins becomes unstable and starts to fall apart.
—Siddhesh Sabnis, The Conversation, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Grace Jordan-Weinstein, People.com, 1 July 2025
Antioxidants can help combat free radicals, unstable molecules that damage the body’s cells and can lead to cancer.2
Small amounts of fluoride, folate, vitamin A, vitamin K, and beta-carotene can be found in raw tomatoes.
—Andrea Michelson, Verywell Health, 30 June 2025
Antioxidants can prevent cell damage caused by unstable molecules called free radicals.1211
Note that pickles are high in sodium, which may be an issue for people with high blood pressure.
—Lindsey Desoto, Health, 24 June 2025
But in chronic pain, the bridge between these proteins becomes unstable and starts to fall apart.
—Siddhesh Sabnis, The Conversation, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
-
So, what will moral and democratic revival look like when the ground beneath is unsteady?—
F. Willis Johnson,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
-
Consumer sentiment is unsteady, and cancellation rates on contracts have been high for both new and existing homes.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
But David’s volatile behavior, which includes smashing a glass coffee table to pieces in front of the other children, quickly turns them into unwelcome guests.—
Jordan Mintzer,
HollywoodReporter,
10 July 2025
-
Whether or not all these pricing updates are related to tariffs is unclear, but the volatile trade war has brought uncertainty.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
Investors seem to be factoring in the best-case scenarios – a precarious position for a company with a limited recent operational track record and significant downside risks.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
-
After that Donlon knew his position was precarious, the lawsuit claims.—
Graham Rayman,
New York Daily News,
16 July 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike cheaper rebounders that can feel stiff or unpredictable, this one stays sturdy and responsive.—
Jordan Galloway,
SELF,
15 July 2025
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In one study, researchers induced postnatal stress in a mouse (confining her, forcing her to swim) and separated her from her pups at unpredictable intervals.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
The pandemic may have accelerated long-standing public health challenges, and the recovery, the study makes clear, has been uneven and incomplete.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
-
Whether dealing with slick grass, gravel paths, or uneven surfaces, the Sunseeker Elite X7 maintains control and performance with minimal slippage.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Marvin Burks and Dre Norwood seek redemption At strong safety, junior Marvin Burks Jr. returns after a rocky 2024 season.—
Zach Sweet,
Kansas City Star,
10 July 2025
-
Gallen has been electric during his career, but has had a rocky season to this point with the Diamondbacks.—
Hunter Mulholland,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
An unbalanced load can trigger violent spin cycles, strain suspension rods and cause premature bearing wear.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
-
Beijing has imposed export controls on rare earth magnets, hitting European Union industries hard and compounding an increasingly unbalanced trading relationship.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstable. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.
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