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

For a person who already feels unsteady, that familiar routine can become stressful. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026

Joshua was knocked down twice in the first round and looked unsteady on his feet after the first knockdown some 30 seconds into the fight. — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 25 July 2026

Early reviews said that House of the Dragon was at the top of its game in season 3, after a periodically unsteady run before that. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

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