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 The result is a poignant, raw, intimate and compelling portrait of both his electrifying younger brother — who holds the NFL record for most receptions of more than 60 yards (26) — and their volatile and complicated father, Bill. — Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026 When the volatile weather passes, the region will see much cooler temperatures, with highs around 70 degrees on Thursday and a low multiple nights of 53 degrees. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026 The system is designed to help data center operators deploy capacity faster while managing the volatile power demands created by AI computing infrastructure. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2026 Combs has both utilized and weaponized his fortune, industry status, and reputation to hide a volatile temper and disturbing behavior for decades. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 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
  • The new prices may also steer customers more toward bundles, which streaming service providers believe lead to fewer cancellations and help Disney manage the unpredictable ads market.
    — Scharon Harding, ArsTechnica, 23 Sep. 2026
  • The open Atlantic Ocean presents a different kind of extreme — relentless, unpredictable and constantly changing — and that is exactly where Canada Goose belongs.
    — Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 23 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
  • The storm will likely form near the coast this week, but its track is uncertain.
    — Ben Noll, Washington Post, 21 Sep. 2026
  • The first version is a compact novel-within-a-novel in which this fictional couple is further fictionalized, to an uncertain degree but scandalous effect.
    — Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 21 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 25 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 tactile

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

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

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

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 25
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
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
image of the words cracker fly and sale arranged in a triangle with the word fire in the middle
Triple Play Quiz Find the word that pairs with each of the three g...
See All