Synonyms of unsteady

unsteady

adjective

1

as in sporadic

lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence

a year of unsteady economic growth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• sporadic
• intermittent
• occasional
• sudden
• erratic
• irregular
• unpredictable
• violent
• discontinuous
• spastic
• casual
• fitful
• spasmodic
• episodic
• choppy
• volatile
• aperiodic
• spotty
• uncertain
• unstable
• catchy
• random
• changeful
• haphazard
• fragmentary
• scattered
• broken
• convulsive
• aimless
• changing
• varying
• interrupted
• unsettled
• arbitrary
• inconstant
• stray
• odd
• disconnected
• capricious
• mercurial
• fluctuating
• variable
• desultory
• temperamental
• mutable
• wavering
• fluid
• slapdash
• hit-and-miss
• hit-or-miss
• fickle
• changeable
• flickery

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• continuous
• steady
• constant
• regular
• periodic
• habitual
• stable
• stationary
• uniform
• even
• repeated
• unchanging
• orderly
• systematic
• equable
• changeless
• methodical
• unvarying
• unrelenting
• unwavering
• unremitting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• volatile
• unpredictable
• unstable
• changeful
• inconsistent
• uncertain
• variable
• unsettled
• inconstant
• capricious
• mercurial
• fluctuating
• temperamental
• mutable
• erratic
• fickle
• shaky
• changeable
• fluid
• up in the air
• unreliable
• skittish
• haphazard
• random
• flickery
• aimless
• scattered
• arbitrary
• ambivalent
• stray
• slapdash
• undependable
• irregular
• desultory
• untrustworthy
• wavering
• dicey
• hit-or-miss
• vacillating
• hesitating
• versatile
• adaptable
• mobile
• protean
• shilly-shally
• shilly-shallying

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• steady
• stable
• constant
• certain
• stationary
• predictable
• unchanging
• invariable
• unchangeable
• immutable
• uniform
• settled
• even
• permanent
• unvarying
• persistent
• changeless
• durable
• lasting
• equable
• reliable
• abiding
• dependable
• sure
• true
• trustworthy
• trusty
• tried
• tried-and-true

3

as in unstable

not being in or able to maintain a state of balance

cautiously climbed up the unsteady ladder

Synonyms & Similar Words

• unstable
• unbalanced
• precarious
• wobbly
• shaky
• rocky
• tipsy
• tippy
• rickety
• wonky
• uneven
• infirm
• tottering
• insecure
• wavery
• doddering
• teetering
• unsound
• tottery
• lopsided
• awry
• doddery
• jiggly
• staggery
• jiggling
• askew
• off-kilter
• cockeyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• steady
• stable
• stabilized
• balanced
• level
• straight
• even
• substantial
• sound
• equilibrated
• sturdy

4

as in uneven

not staying constant

unsteady business conditions that rattled investors

Synonyms & Similar Words

• uneven
• changing
• unstable
• varying
• unequal
• changeful
• erratic
• volatile
• inconsistent
• irregular
• uncertain
• fluctuating
• variable
• capricious
• unsettled
• mercurial
• inconstant
• fickle
• fluid
• changeable
• choppy
• mutable

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• steady
• constant
• stable
• regular
• unchanging
• unvarying
• changeless

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of unsteady

But the firm also highlights a 'bull case' where the Strait of Hormuz remains unsteady past the November 3rd elections in America and Brent pops back into the $110 range. — Brian Sullivan, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

Stiff-person syndrome’s most common symptoms include muscle stiffness and painful spasms that can lead to secondary effects, like unsteady gait, double vision, and slurred speech, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 19 Aug. 2026

As would be feeling unsteady on your feet or being overly concerned with falling. — Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

But as Saint Laurent begins to make his unsteady way out of the banquet hall, Bergé rushes to his side, to help him. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026