unsteady

adjective

Definition of unsteadynext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uneven
not staying constant unsteady business conditions that rattled investors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unsteady But, fighting Parkinson’s disease, his body was visibly unsteady on that July night. — Nicole Bennett, AJC.com, 18 Sep. 2026 It’s been such an unsteady year, Andrew Friedman’s two big offseason acquisitions have been busts. — Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026 Snitker pointed to broader economic unease — including unsettled inflation, shifting tariff policy and a Federal Reserve that has yet to commit to a clear rate path — as a backdrop that has left the market feeling unsteady without destabilizing it. — Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 11 Sep. 2026 But there are gaps where the chain has disappeared making an unsteady road frighteningly dangerous. — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsteady
  1. sporadic
  2. volatile
  3. unstable
  4. uneven
  5. intermittent
  6. unpredictable
  7. changing
  8. occasional
Adjective
  • Even after two MVPs, Jackson takes heat for his sporadic attendance at voluntary offseason practices.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Younger generations’ exposure to social media content promoting GLP-1 microdosing or intermittent or sporadic use of the medications may influence these behaviors, too, Albaugh adds.
    — Anna L. Goldman, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of sporadic
Adjective
  • To their credit, the creative minds behind the Absolute series don’t bother masking their politics — an especially bold move for anyone working in an industry with an often reactive and volatile fandom.
    — Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Still, the prospect of additional supply from American producers remains uncertain, with companies reluctant to commit to major new investments amid volatile prices and geopolitical risks.
    — Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • Water essentially acts as a catalyst that spontaneously creates particles known as hydroxyl radicals, unstable molecules linked to aging and disease.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • If a tree appears diseased, unstable or at risk of falling, consider documenting the problem and notifying the owner in writing.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of unstable
Adjective
  • However, sodium metal is highly reactive, and its interaction with conventional liquid electrolytes can cause unwanted chemical reactions and uneven metal deposits called dendrites.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Hiring in 2026 has resulted in an uneven demographic shift in the workforce, according to survey estimates analyzed by the Post.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • In the case of intermittent signals, the culprit might never be found.
    — IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Younger generations’ exposure to social media content promoting GLP-1 microdosing or intermittent or sporadic use of the medications may influence these behaviors, too, Albaugh adds.
    — Anna L. Goldman, EverydayHealth.com, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of intermittent
Adjective
  • Rashida Jones and Will McCormack wrote the screenplay for the film that follows two couples at a dinner party that turns into an unpredictable evening exposing messy relationships and desires.
    — Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
  • The Serbian leader had long been seen as an unpredictable annoyance, and his balancing act wasn’t particularly subtle.
    — Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • Instead, research is increasingly focused on how changing temperatures and precipitation patterns could influence their abundance, seasonal activity and ability to transmit disease.
    — Kylee Rae Noel, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026
  • This might be the moment to plot a California trip with more changing leaves and less traffic.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of changing
Adjective
  • The New Braunfels, Texas, resident kept a frenetic touring schedule, headlining major Texas venues and mid-sized dance halls around the country, with occasional arena or amphitheater stops opening for Koe Wetzel thrown in.
    — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 25 Oct. 2026
  • That could make removing space junk a routine service rather than an occasional experiment.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of occasional

Browse Nearby Words

unsteadiness
unsteady
unsterile
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Cite this Entry

“Unsteady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsteady. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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