as in instability
the quality or state of not being firmly fixed in position
blamed the poor quality of the video on the tripod's unsteadiness
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
a year of unsteady economic growth
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
in the days of sailing ships, mariners were constantly at the mercy of unsteady winds
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3
as in unstable
not being in or able to maintain a state of balance
cautiously climbed up the unsteady ladder
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4
as in uneven
not staying constant
unsteady business conditions that rattled investors
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsteadiness
Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 27 May 2026
Those dates were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later canceled following Dion's 2022 diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that includes rigidity and stiffness of certain areas of the body, causing unsteadiness, slower movements and difficulties walking.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Bill Chappell, NPR, 13 May 2026
In a half hour or so, the newborn gathers itself and stands unsteady on wobbly legs.
—Susan Koch, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsteadiness
Noun
Unlike dizziness — which causes lightheadedness or unsteadiness — vertigo feels more like spinning.
—Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 27 May 2026
Those dates were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and later canceled following Dion's 2022 diagnosis of stiff-person syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that includes rigidity and stiffness of certain areas of the body, causing unsteadiness, slower movements and difficulties walking.
—Shafiq Najib, ABC News, 30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Medical staff who treated Paul say he was clearly intoxicated, slurring his speech and unsteady on his feet.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 13 May 2026
In a half hour or so, the newborn gathers itself and stands unsteady on wobbly legs.
—Susan Koch, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsteadiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsteadiness
instability
Noun
-
Other projects collapsed entirely after structural problems, financial instability, or poor planning surfaced only after taxpayer money had already been spent.—
Michele Steeb,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
Running shoes are built for impact absorption at a higher speed and cadence, often being equipped with more responsive (bouncy) midsole foam and a higher heel stack that could actually cause discomfort and instability during long walks.—
Oscar Hartzog,
Footwear News,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsteadiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsteadiness. Accessed 17 Jun. 2026.
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