1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

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 As former Vikings defensive lineman Harrison Phillips put it several years ago, playing Johnson is like navigating a volatile stock market. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026 That figure jumped after Friday's inflation report showed that prices remain stubbornly high and core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy, picked up in August from the previous month. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026 Countries watching the current moment might conclude that executive agility and the willingness to weaponize economic relationships are the currencies of power in a volatile world. — Jonas Nahm, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026 Core personal consumption expenditures, which exclude the volatile costs of food and energy, have continued to rise. — Sarah Moreno, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 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
  • Later, an opposition to unpredictable Uranus reminds us to balance bold leaps with steady signals, so plans, messages, and travel stay flexible, safe, and kind.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 16 Sep. 2026
  • There were real concerns like unpredictable latency and audit trails that legal would never approve.
    — Rafael Flores, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • Now, Felix says, those same immigrants are being sent back to an even more unstable situation.
    — Lauren Costantino September 19, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • The unstable, wet weather system should move from the area by Thursday, according to the NWS.
    — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of unstable
Adjective
  • Most credit cards have variable interest rates that track the prime rate banks charge their best customers.
    — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • Private student loans tend to have a variable rate tied to the Libor, prime or Treasury bill rates — and that means that, as the Fed rate rises, those borrowers will also pay more in interest.
    — Jessica Dickler, CNBC, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of variable
Adjective
  • Some of his movement was inconsistent, like all over the place.
    — Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
  • Add an inconsistent Mookie Betts and an incredibly streaky Teoscar Hernández to an already-shaky lineup.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 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 unsettled pattern is expected to continue into next week, with 60–80% rain and storm chances Monday through Wednesday.
    — Keily Alfonzo, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Sep. 2026
  • What unsettled investors was the gap between the Fed's economic forecasts and Warsh's remarks.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Definition of unsettled
Adjective
  • That separation helps explain how uncertain the market remains — even to veteran coaches.
    — Manny Navarro, New York Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • But take the owner out of the equation, and the loyal customers stop coming, while the accounts become uncertain overnight.
    — Jason Sisneros, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 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 22 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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 nemesis

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Why do we say 'fly off the handle'?
See More

Popular

See More

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
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
crayons-in-a-circle
Guess the Color Quiz Questions that use the whole box of crayons.
See All