volatile

adjective

ˈvä-lə-tᵊl How to pronounce volatile (audio)
Definition of volatilenext
as in unpredictable
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly a boss of volatile moods is frustrating to work for

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 DeMonica plunges into the volatile Mexican border, where the past never stays buried. — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 29 July 2026 With less guidance from the Fed, financial markets may be set for more volatile trading amid the uncertainty. — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 29 July 2026 Additionally, as PetMD notes, those sprays contain a laundry list of volatile organic compounds that can cause eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches, nausea and damage to a cat's internal organs. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 28 July 2026 FedEx Freight has been volatile since its debut, but that isn't unusual for spinoffs early on while the stock finds a dedicated investor base. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for volatile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volatile
  1. unpredictable
  2. unstable
  3. variable
  4. inconsistent
  5. changeful
  6. unsettled
  7. uncertain
Adjective
  • The Open Worldwide Application Security Project describes a use-after-free as when a program accesses heap memory after it’s been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior or exploits.
    — Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Even while navigating a challenging economic landscape—marked by fluctuating input costs, unpredictable weather and shifting market dynamics—growers are choosing to formalize and voluntarily provide data on their sustainability practices.
    — SJ Studio, Footwear News, 31 July 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • This change is motivated by companies requiring ongoing, real-time decisions due to unstable supply chains and high customer expectations.
    — Robert Kramer, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
  • Too often, Chelsea appeared vulnerable, ill-disciplined and unstable at the back, lacking composure and physicality.
    — Mark Carey, New York Times, 25 July 2026
Definition of unstable
Adjective
  • The approach aims to improve flexibility in manufacturing while making robotic automation more practical for complex, variable production environments.
    — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026
  • Both screens run at a variable refresh rate of 120Hz and reach their brightest yet at 3,200 nits.
    — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 23 July 2026
Definition of variable
Adjective
  • However, backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor's inconsistent play, marked by a costly interception, raised concerns.
    — Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
  • Similar reports have emerged in Germany and Switzerland, where local media reported that secondhand booksellers received unusual bulk orders for highly specialized books that appeared inconsistent with traditional collecting or resale.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 31 July 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 linebacker battle The most unsettled position headed into fall camp is the second linebacker position.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 July 2026
  • Cleveland head coach Todd Monken also inherited a team with an unsettled quarterback situation.
    — Mike Jones, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of unsettled
Adjective
  • All available polling data indicates that the public mood in Russia is growing more uncertain and anxious.
    — Alexander Gabuev, Foreign Affairs, 31 July 2026
  • But advocates like Amy Behnke, who leads the Health Center Association of Nebraska, said the state's notices were confusing and left many low-income people uncertain if the new rules apply to them.
    — Julie Wernau, NPR, 31 July 2026
Definition of uncertain

Browse Nearby Words

voids
volatile
volatileness
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Volatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volatile. Accessed 1 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on volatile

Nglish: Translation of volatile for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of spindrift

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All