instability

noun

in·​sta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: the quality or state of being unstable

especially : lack of emotional or mental stability

Synonyms

• unsteadiness
• precariousness
• unstableness
• insecurity

Examples of instability in a Sentence

Investors are worried about the current instability of the stock market.

The patient has a history of emotional instability.

Recent Examples on the Web

Later in the season, as more northern waters cool off and the main hurricane development region stays toasty, the instability dial could be turned back up. —Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2025

Chronic pain usually results from your nervous system perceiving an area of instability in your body. —Dana Santas, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025

Furthermore, mercenaries have proven to be vectors of instability. —Alia Brahimi, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

The diagnosis of telling you that something foreign is inside of you is where the mental instability can come from. —Essence, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for instability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

Kids Definition

instability

noun

in·​sta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being unstable

Medical Definition

instability

noun

in·​sta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural instabilities

: the quality or state of being unstable

especially : lack of emotional or mental stability