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
Macro conditions might be volatile.
—
Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025
Nationally, the president’s tariffs have been accompanied by the highest egg prices the country has ever seen and a volatile stock market captive to erratic moves such as firing government statisticians.
—Lluvia Gaucin, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
Hence, Drewry expects spot rates to be less volatile in the coming weeks.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2025
Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said in a statement that the introduction of New World screwworm in the U.S. would only exacerbate an already volatile cattle market.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Jessica Billingsley, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025
Nationally, the president’s tariffs have been accompanied by the highest egg prices the country has ever seen and a volatile stock market captive to erratic moves such as firing government statisticians.
—Lluvia Gaucin, IndyStar, 26 Aug. 2025
Hence, Drewry expects spot rates to be less volatile in the coming weeks.
—Lori Ann Larocco, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2025
Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, said in a statement that the introduction of New World screwworm in the U.S. would only exacerbate an already volatile cattle market.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volatile
Adjective
-
Fall is a beautiful time to go hiking, but with the colorful foliage comes dropping temperatures, rainy days, and unpredictable weather.—
Anne Taylor,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Several party officials argued Kaegi’s valuations were unpredictable and faulted his management of certain tax breaks.—
A.D. Quig,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
This discovery suggests a much more active early Earth, but this tectonic activity was still unstable, with crust sinking down not in a continuous motion, but in pulses, stopping for millions of years and then resuming activity.—
David Bressan,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
In some cases, unstable shelter and food.—
Alan J. Borsuk,
jsonline.com,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
General Motors is conducting trials with CyRo for assembly work on moving surfaces, where parts come in variable orientations and circumstances beyond the capability of conventional automation.—
Tejasri Gururaj,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Sep. 2025
-
In conjunction with the 911's variable ratio power steering, the result is precise, predictable steering and intuitive maneuverability.—
Mark Phelan,
Freep.com,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Too inconsistent for Andoni Iraola’s liking, only averaging a goal or assist every 175 minutes in all competitions last season, his talent isn’t in doubt, but can Keith Andrews turn Brentford’s record signing into a top-level Premier League player?—
Tim Spiers,
New York Times,
2 Sep. 2025
-
The combination of his age, declining offensive efficiency, high-volume turnovers and inconsistent play likely plays a factor.—
Ricardo Klein,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Sep. 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
-
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
-
Valverde set his side up dangerously, opting for Álex Berengeur as a false nine, and looking to unpick an unsettled Betis defence.—
Sam Leveridge,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
-
Since this law is new, there are still many unsettled issues related to it, city sustainability manager Crystal Najera and other city employees said Wednesday.—
Barbara Henry,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
With the state’s version of a grocery tax set to expire soon, whether Lake Bluff will join many of its neighboring communities in adopting its own version of the tax is uncertain following a recent discussion of the village board’s finance committee.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
-
In addition, the stock is defensive in an uncertain macroeconomic environment.—
Michael Bloom,
CNBC,
30 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Volatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volatile. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share