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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in instability
the quality or state of not being firmly fixed in position
if the tunnel had been properly inspected, the unstableness of the overhead concrete panels would have been discovered in time
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unstable
Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 30 July 2025
We are beset by panhandlers, shouted at by unstable wanderers, and forced to abandon our own plans to the claims of others who have made public places theirs exclusively.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
In rivers like the Mississippi, sandbars can be unstable and collapse under weight or shifting currents.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025
And the economy, right now, feels unstable to many, as grocery prices rise and the job market goes on a diet.
—Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Adjective
Many uber-thick soles are also just plain unstable.
—Jennifer Heimlich, SELF, 30 July 2025
We are beset by panhandlers, shouted at by unstable wanderers, and forced to abandon our own plans to the claims of others who have made public places theirs exclusively.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
In rivers like the Mississippi, sandbars can be unstable and collapse under weight or shifting currents.
—Michael Dorgan, FOXNews.com, 24 July 2025
And the economy, right now, feels unstable to many, as grocery prices rise and the job market goes on a diet.
—Sophie Levenson, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
-
At the scene, Durham appeared to be unsteady on his feet, slurred his speech and had dilated pupils, according to an arrest affidavit.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
16 July 2025
-
As seen in a video shared on social media by royal reporter Rhiannon Mills of Sky News, William also admitted that his device was unsteady.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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The consequences would be far reaching and upend an already volatile political world.—
Michael Smolens,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
3 Aug. 2025
-
The explosion was one of the country’s largest since the 2010 eruption of Mount Merapi, the country’s most volatile volcano.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
2 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula and surrounding Pacific Rim regions continued to experience seismic instability, with dozens of aftershocks being reported on Saturday by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).—
Hollie Silverman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
2 Aug. 2025
-
The back and forth and periods of pause have created instability for individual businesses and industry sectors, both in the U.S. and abroad.—
Olivia Evans,
Louisville Courier Journal,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The time from when the patient arrives in the operating room to the time the patient is able to be on the heart-lung bypass machine is the most precarious.—
Nicole Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
-
In a precarious spot, the success of Borderlands 4 will ride on regaining some of its old magic.—
Jonathan Zavaleta,
Rolling Stone,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike cheaper rebounders that can feel stiff or unpredictable, this one stays sturdy and responsive.—
Jordan Galloway,
SELF,
15 July 2025
-
Scientists believe these unpredictable, destructive storms are linked to climate change.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
With a single subwoofer, the frequency response can be uneven because of peaks and dips in certain frequency ranges.—
Mark Sparrow,
Forbes.com,
3 Aug. 2025
-
And this uneven, sometimes sloppy vehicle gets a real boost from Method Man.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Actor and director Erich von Stroheim, who was cast as Desmond’s worshipful valet, driver and former silent film director, had a rocky history with Swanson.—
Scott Huver,
People.com,
3 Aug. 2025
-
A lot has changed in the nearly eight years since then, including the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the rocky departure of Roscosmos leader Dmitry Rogozin in 2022 who was subsequently dispatched to the front lines of the war, several changes in NASA leadership, and more.—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
1 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Adding McMahon makes the Yankees a bit unbalanced in lineup handedness, something Boone obsesses over.—
Chris Kirschner,
New York Times,
26 July 2025
-
Officials in Brussels are prepared to stomach an unbalanced agreement that favors the US if that’s what is required to break the impasse before the deadline.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
21 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstable. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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