as in unsteadiness
the quality or state of not being firmly fixed in position
the instability of the bridge became tragically apparent when it suddenly collapsed
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Recent Examples of instability
The Jets have endured 15 consecutive non-playoff seasons, mainly due to their quarterback instability.
—
Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
That sense of instability extends to the financial sector, where underregulated fintech startups aim to supplant traditional banks.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
So far, organizers have reported better health outcomes for moms and infants, fewer concerns about housing instability among families that are part of Rx Kids, and are proposing Rx Kids in other states, including Hawaii.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Small-business advocates typically advise against entrepreneurship as a solution for career instability or the desire for a steady income.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instability
Antwan Staley, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026
That sense of instability extends to the financial sector, where underregulated fintech startups aim to supplant traditional banks.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
So far, organizers have reported better health outcomes for moms and infants, fewer concerns about housing instability among families that are part of Rx Kids, and are proposing Rx Kids in other states, including Hawaii.
—Nushrat Rahman, Freep.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Small-business advocates typically advise against entrepreneurship as a solution for career instability or the desire for a steady income.
—Megan Sauer, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for instability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instability
Noun
-
The recent private jobs reports released from ADP also showed unsteadiness.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
3 Dec. 2025
Noun
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The situation in Venezuela is further complicated by the volatility of the exchange rate, the high prices of goods and basic products, and the precariousness of salaries and bonuses for millions of workers in the public sector, Trak said.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
5 Dec. 2025
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Trump’s emergency order, along with subsequent federal deployments that have continued in some form even after the formal emergency expired, highlighted the precariousness of local control.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Nov. 2025
Noun
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California educates a disproportionate share of children experiencing housing insecurity.—
Jill Stegman,
Mercury News,
5 Feb. 2026
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Along the way, an OnlyFans star and a father of five put their bodies—and their insecurities—on the line.—
Mia Galuppo,
HollywoodReporter,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Instability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instability. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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