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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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Recent Examples of unsteady
The senator seemed unsteady, but got up and kept walking with the help of his detail.
—
Lauren Peller, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
The ancient Greeks often compared the unsteady beat of waves against the shore to laughter.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Lauren Peller, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025
The ancient Greeks often compared the unsteady beat of waves against the shore to laughter.
—Joseph Howlett, Quanta Magazine, 15 Oct. 2025
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
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
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsteady
Adjective
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The English-language narration, delivered by Kyra Sedgwick, is used for sporadic, jarring and rarely necessary info drops, and would have felt more at home on the soundtrack of a PBS nature series.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
24 Oct. 2025
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Trump deploys 'Bibisitters' The first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal has largely held, though sporadic fighting since the deal was signed has erupted and left two Israeli soldiers and more than 40 Palestinians dead.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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With a roster that includes Margot Robbie, Miles Teller and Brooke Shields, Ullman says tariff anxiety shoehorned into an already volatile market and tense political climate has pushed clients to be far more conservative.—
Trey Williams,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Oct. 2025
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Gold has seen historic gains in 2025, its more-than-50% surge surpassing previous volatile periods such as after the September 11 attacks, the 2008 financial crisis or even the Covid-19 pandemic.—
John Liu,
CNN Money,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In a process called marine ice cliff instability (MICI), cliffs taller than 90 meters at the edges of glaciers become unstable and collapse, exposing ever-thicker ice in a chain reaction that accelerates retreat.—
Evan Howell,
Quanta Magazine,
20 Oct. 2025
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However, if the pressure, density, or current is too high, the plasma can become unstable.—
Chris Young,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After Florida State and Clemson fought for an uneven share of ACC revenue, a Georgia Tech versus Virginia championship game just feels right.—
Stewart Mandel,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
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Southern live oaks draped in Spanish moss that tower and twist over city squares, Neoclassical Antebellum architecture, gas lamps that flicker over uneven cobblestone paths, and a humid subtropical climate that hangs heavy in the air.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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So, too, the hold Catholicism has on him, still (with intermittent lapses).—
Bill Goodykoontz,
AZCentral.com,
14 Oct. 2025
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Sheriff’s officials said in a Tuesday evening Facebook post that there is a 75% chance of more rain Wednesday, including mostly intermittent heavy thunderstorms with the potential for winds of up to 50 mph and quarter-inch hail.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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His characters were often brutally unpredictable.—
Joy Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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New York can be very unpredictable and has been this season.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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While some may view it as extravagant goods and high-end services, others see it as occasional splurges, unique experiences and good health.—
Maddie McGay,
USA Today,
18 Oct. 2025
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Daily and nightly tours now offer visitors its complex history, along with an occasional paranormal scare.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
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Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Unsteady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsteady. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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