1
as in unsteady
not being in or able to maintain a state of balance
the minute we put the books down on the unstable desk, the whole stack went crashing to the floor
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
financial investors don't like an unstable economy
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in changing
not staying constant
unstable temperatures are not ideal storage conditions for wine
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unstable
In the unstable era of the American Revolution, the future was unclear.
—
Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
Even after the fire is under control, visitors will not be able to enter the inner canyon because of unstable rock, West said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 July 2025
In a melt-up, stocks would spiral much higher, generating big gains on an unstable base.
—New York Times, 11 July 2025
For manufacturers using Odoo, a strategic approach to agentic AI can help prepare for unstable markets, rising costs, shifting customer demands and hostile geopolitics.
—Dmitriy Stepanov, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Literary Hub, 17 July 2025
Even after the fire is under control, visitors will not be able to enter the inner canyon because of unstable rock, West said.
—Lauren Penington, Denver Post, 16 July 2025
In a melt-up, stocks would spiral much higher, generating big gains on an unstable base.
—New York Times, 11 July 2025
For manufacturers using Odoo, a strategic approach to agentic AI can help prepare for unstable markets, rising costs, shifting customer demands and hostile geopolitics.
—Dmitriy Stepanov, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
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So, what will moral and democratic revival look like when the ground beneath is unsteady?—
F. Willis Johnson,
Twin Cities,
10 July 2025
-
Consumer sentiment is unsteady, and cancellation rates on contracts have been high for both new and existing homes.—
Diana Olick,
CNBC,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Create Short-term and Long-term Business Plans When getting your business off the ground, the beginning is often the most volatile time.—
Rhett Buttle,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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The law provides a federal framework for stablecoins, a form of cryptocurrency that's considered less volatile than other cryptocurrencies, as each token is backed by the US dollar or other supposedly low-risk assets.—
Ashley Belanger,
ArsTechnica,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Investors seem to be factoring in the best-case scenarios – a precarious position for a company with a limited recent operational track record and significant downside risks.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
-
Bayrou’s premiership is precarious, with the prime minister surviving no less than eight no-confidence motions against him since taking office last December, with the last vote being on July 1.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
16 July 2025
Adjective
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Unlike cheaper rebounders that can feel stiff or unpredictable, this one stays sturdy and responsive.—
Jordan Galloway,
SELF,
15 July 2025
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Trump criticized the Russian leader, describing Putin as unpredictable.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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Long runs over uneven, rocky trail comes with its share of foot issues, but few sacrifices are greater than those poor keratin creatures attached to your precious foot fingers.—
Kade Krichko,
Outside Online,
22 July 2025
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Amid economic volatility and rapid technological change, access to financial planning remains deeply uneven.—
Matt Watson,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images Mayfield has found his path after a rocky start to his NFL career.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 July 2025
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Mount Washington is known for sudden weather changes, rocky terrain, and limited visibility, even in summer.—
Jasmine Baehr,
FOXNews.com,
19 July 2025
Adjective
-
An unbalanced load can trigger violent spin cycles, strain suspension rods and cause premature bearing wear.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 July 2025
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Beijing has imposed export controls on rare earth magnets, hitting European Union industries hard and compounding an increasingly unbalanced trading relationship.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstable. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
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