as in unpredictable
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a boss of volatile moods is frustrating to work for
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of volatile
One of the most challenging aspects of dealing with these beetles is that the feeding pests cause the affected plant to produce a volatile aromatic scent, which quickly attracts other beetles to the feast.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
However, those notoriously volatile market conditions haven’t discouraged some entrepreneurs.
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 6 Oct. 2025
The film tracks their volatile relationship amid Kerr’s professional high and lows in MMA, including his substance abuse struggles.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
Has the world's most volatile region been transformed?
—Susan Page, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025
However, those notoriously volatile market conditions haven’t discouraged some entrepreneurs.
—Barbara Peterson, AFAR Media, 6 Oct. 2025
The film tracks their volatile relationship amid Kerr’s professional high and lows in MMA, including his substance abuse struggles.
—Zack Sharf, Variety, 6 Oct. 2025
Has the world's most volatile region been transformed?
—Susan Page, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volatile
Adjective
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As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on how players navigate the unpredictable greens and whether the LPGA’s course care efforts can hold up under the heat.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Stanfield co-stars as Grofield, his quick-thinking partner-in-crime who’s part actor, part hustler, and wholly unpredictable.—
Okla Jones,
Essence,
9 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
These lasers can produce massive amounts of light, but the beam is often unstable and difficult to control.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Oct. 2025
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But just because everything else is feeling unstable, this is almost the straw that breaks the camel's back for him.—
Patrick Gomez,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Include an outline of typical forms of variable compensation, their targets and other ancillary items such as stock.—
Sophie Caldwell,
CNBC,
8 Oct. 2025
-
This variable speed hand mixer has nine settings, a 100-watt motor, and comes with a slew of attachments to tackle a variety of tasks.—
Mark Marino,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But beyond that familiar advice, dietary guidance has long been vague and inconsistent.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
13 Oct. 2025
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Fairlead Strategies or its affiliates may have positions in financial instruments mentioned, may have acquired such positions at prices no longer available, and may have interests different from or adverse to your interests or inconsistent with the advice herein.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
13 Oct. 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
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Another unsettled pattern could follow later in the week, depending on how the offshore low evolves, forecasters said.—
Sydney Barragan,
Oc Register,
11 Oct. 2025
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O'Donnell walks over to his black horse Duke who senses the unsettled energy coming from the captain.—
Bryan West,
Nashville Tennessean,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The industry has an uncertain few years ahead, but for now an era of harmony between streamers and networks has broken out.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
12 Oct. 2025
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But three days after Bichette’s post-clinch proclamation, the shortstop’s status for the ALCS remains uncertain.—
Mitch Bannon,
New York Times,
12 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Volatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volatile. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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