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

Sydney is extra unsteady and flustered. — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026

McConnell has always appeared to have a somewhat unsteady gate — a childhood bout of polio left him with a partially paralyzed leg. — Eric McDaniel, NPR, 14 June 2026

Swalwell's absence on the campaign trail allowed Becerra to gain more traction as a seemingly steady Democratic option in a very unsteady race. — Kyler Alvord, PEOPLE, 10 June 2026

Oil prices have been unsteady as hopes rise and fade that the United States and Iran can reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 9 June 2026