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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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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4
as in uneven
not staying constant
unsteady business conditions that rattled investors
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsteady
But the exact wording of the sermon itself—copied by a scribe in an unsteady calligraphy—has been the subject of debate since at least the late 1500s.
—
Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025
As Iran and Israel enter a ceasefire on June 24, the future of the conflict and U.S. involvement remains on unsteady ground, following Iran's retaliatory strike on an overseas U.S. military base one day prior.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 June 2025
At the scene, Durham appeared to be unsteady on his feet, slurred his speech and had dilated pupils, according to an arrest affidavit.
—Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 16 July 2025
As seen in a video shared on social media by royal reporter Rhiannon Mills of Sky News, William also admitted that his device was unsteady.
—Stephanie Petit, People.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 July 2025
As Iran and Israel enter a ceasefire on June 24, the future of the conflict and U.S. involvement remains on unsteady ground, following Iran's retaliatory strike on an overseas U.S. military base one day prior.
—Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 24 June 2025
At the scene, Durham appeared to be unsteady on his feet, slurred his speech and had dilated pupils, according to an arrest affidavit.
—Brad Schmitt, The Tennessean, 16 July 2025
As seen in a video shared on social media by royal reporter Rhiannon Mills of Sky News, William also admitted that his device was unsteady.
—Stephanie Petit, People.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsteady
Adjective
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Rogers continued to make sporadic appearances on General Hospital throughout the next decade, and since 2019, had appeared as a recurring character.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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This approach is safer and more sustainable than sporadic AI projects or the unregulated use of tools.—
Mike Kiersey,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Not too happy about the volatile nature of PLTR stock?—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 3.1%, up from 2.9% in June.—
Christopher Rugaber,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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People have been urged to avoid entering possibly unstable buildings as aftershocks continued to shake the area, according to the Times.—
Abigail Adams,
People.com,
11 Aug. 2025
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Although the emergency warning was reduced to a less urgent heavy rain warning on Monday afternoon, the Japan Meteorological Agency warned that the soil had become unstable due to the precipitation, leaving the region at an elevated risk of landslides even without excessive rain.—
Trisha Mukherjee,
ABC News,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Back in April, Ulta had already slowed its rollout within Target, citing uneven returns and operational friction in certain locations.—
Brian Delp,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
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From the outside, staying in these uneven dynamics can look like passivity or even low self-esteem.—
Jenna Ryu,
SELF,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The rapper’s intermittent social media posts were ultimately followed by his Thursday morning arrest.—
Charna Flam,
People.com,
22 Aug. 2025
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An experienced hiker who had completed several solo trips in challenging conditions, Luhn knew cell service would be spotty and warned his wife any communications from inside the park would be intermittent.—
Mitchell McCluskey,
CNN Money,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Enjoy the unpredictable and the unknown, which is where wonder and curiosity and adventure unfold.—
Kathleen Wong,
USA Today,
20 Aug. 2025
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But humanitarian logistics operates in far more volatile and unpredictable environments.—
Cynthia Tully,
Forbes.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Cast-iron pots and pans require occasional seasoning to restore a fading nonstick surface.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Aug. 2025
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True leadership development isn’t about checking a box with occasional training.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Cite this Entry
“Unsteady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsteady. Accessed 25 Aug. 2025.
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