as in unpredictable
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a boss of volatile moods is frustrating to work for
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of volatile
By precisely controlling temperatures within seconds, non-REEs converted into volatile chlorides, separating cleanly from the solid REEs.
—
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
The action begins as an angry, volatile, directionless young man goes out for a night on the town with friends, drinking, drugging and looking for a fight.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Somewhere between a sweater and a scarf, a cape is a breezy and versatile piece ideally suited to the volatile forecasts of the city’s humid subtropical climate.
—Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
Natural gas, heating oil and propane prices remain volatile, and households that struggled to keep cool this summer are now worried about how to stay warm this winter.
—Derrick Hollie, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
The action begins as an angry, volatile, directionless young man goes out for a night on the town with friends, drinking, drugging and looking for a fight.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 29 Sep. 2025
Somewhere between a sweater and a scarf, a cape is a breezy and versatile piece ideally suited to the volatile forecasts of the city’s humid subtropical climate.
—Abbey Hudetz, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2025
Natural gas, heating oil and propane prices remain volatile, and households that struggled to keep cool this summer are now worried about how to stay warm this winter.
—Derrick Hollie, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volatile
Adjective
-
Prepare for mood swings as the moon clashes with unpredictable Uranus.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
The Roval is among the most unpredictable races on the NASCAR calendar.—
Shane Connuck
October 3,
Charlotte Observer,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Those settlers managed to make an underground river with murderous maggots on unstable terrain into a tourist attraction in record time.—
Ann Patchett,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
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Gun violence, social media, and an unstable economy all contribute to their mental health struggles.—
Ashleigh N. DeLuca,
Parents,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Instead, opt for a model with a heat dial or other variable temperature controls for greater control over the brush’s temperature.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
25 Sep. 2025
-
The Ohio Department of Transportation was also urged to implement a statewide strategy for the use of variable speed limits, where traffic can be slowed in the event of congestion.—
Alexandra Skores,
CNN Money,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Royals’ offense finishes strong The Royals were plagued with an inconsistent offense this season.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
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But Todibo frustrated Potter with his inconsistent performances and was dropped for the 3-0 defeat by Tottenham two weeks ago over bad timekeeping.—
Roshane Thomas,
New York Times,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
Adjective
-
Any student feeling unsettled or affected by the incident is encouraged to take advantage of the support.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
-
How much has this unsettled Jean?—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With Madubuike -- whose status for the rest of the year is uncertain -- once again out today, and fellow defensive starters Jones and Van Noy possibly unavailable, the Ravens are going to need big-time efforts from LB Roquan Smith and the rest of the front seven.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
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National parks appear to have weathed summer crowds despite staffing cuts, but fall remains uncertain.—
Eve Chen,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Volatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volatile. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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