VOLATILE Synonyms: 75 Similar and Opposite Words

volatile

adjective

ˈvä-lə-tᵊl

Definition of volatile

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of volatile Beehives contain volatile organic compounds like propolis, beeswax and honey esters, which can have soothing properties, according to health officials with the Cleveland Clinic. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2026 Shares were volatile during early trading, with the stock initially opening about 3% lower. — Elsa Ohlen, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026 The stock has been volatile since its debut, first trading up 49% in a matter of days, only to fall below the IPO price within just over a month. — Bloomberg, Mercury News, 5 Aug. 2026 Delicate electronics, fragile calibration tools or volatile medical supplies may require specialized qualification or shock-absorbing casings to withstand these forces. — Euihyeon Choi, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for volatile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for volatile

Adjective

During the flight, crews are in constant communication with meteorological teams across the globe to track unpredictable weather patterns.

— Diego Mendoza, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
Within these spaces, designed to produce idealized performances of femininity, the unpredictable rhythms of postpartum life become a quiet act of disruption.

— Alessia Glaviano, Vogue, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of unpredictable

Adjective

Also screening is Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Minotaur, another feature from Cannes, following a successful company director called Gleb, who finds himself under siege from mounting corporate pressures and an increasingly unstable world.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 3 Aug. 2026
Federal prosecutors said the men exploited three girls who had run away from foster care, taking advantage of their ages, unstable living situations and lack of family support.

— Eric Weiss, Sun Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of unstable

Adjective

By automating repetitive, physically demanding and highly variable tasks, intelligent robotics allows experienced people to focus on the work where their judgment and expertise create the greatest value.

— Ariyan Kabir, Fortune, 8 Aug. 2026
Just be cognizant of the variable rate as precise interest-earnings here are difficult to complete with precision as a number of factors could cause rates to rise or fall, particularly over an extended period.

— Matt Richardson, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of variable

Adjective

Because the measures in the judge's order are specific to users in New Mexico, experts say piecemeal rulings and inconsistent legislation at the state level could create a new crop of issues.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026
The two regular season games against Chicago provided a microcosm of Nixon’s inconsistent season.

— Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of inconsistent

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
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

Definition of changeful

Adjective

The pattern looks unsettled into the weekend with spotty rain chances.

— Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026
Boston is likely to kick off the next week with heavy rains on Monday before a single bright spot Tuesday is followed by more potentially unsettled days close out the week, according to National Weather Service forecasts.

— Grace Zokovitch, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsettled

Adjective

Horse racing's Triple Crown faces an uncertain future as leading institutions pursue divergent strategies.

— Nicole Kraft, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The economy feels so perpetually uncertain, fragile and contradictory that shifts in any direction feel really consequential.

— Rachel Siegel, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of uncertain

Browse Nearby Words

voids

volatile

volatileness

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“Volatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volatile. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of volatile

adjective

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