as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
unpredictable spring weather that makes it really hard to know what to wear
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unpredictable
Speaking of unpredictable situations, this multi-pocketed personal first-aid carrier is another smart investment, and can be used to hold a range of medical supplies, including gauze, band-aids, aspirins, and more.
—
Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
These days, he is widely regarded as having the finest facility with metrical forms of any poet of his generation—a grasp of prosody both perfect and unpredictable, as if the complex metronome of that turbulent coastline ticked on within him.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
In its second season, the series follows Turner as he’s called to investigate a mysterious death in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, where local tensions and the volatile, living landscape become an unpredictable force.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
But the timing and amounts were more unpredictable than usual this cycle, leaders told the Tribune.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unpredictable
Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2026
These days, he is widely regarded as having the finest facility with metrical forms of any poet of his generation—a grasp of prosody both perfect and unpredictable, as if the complex metronome of that turbulent coastline ticked on within him.
—Kathryn Schulz, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
In its second season, the series follows Turner as he’s called to investigate a mysterious death in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, where local tensions and the volatile, living landscape become an unpredictable force.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
But the timing and amounts were more unpredictable than usual this cycle, leaders told the Tribune.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 9 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unpredictable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unpredictable
Adjective
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His Roc Nation entertainment company has partnered with the NFL to produce the Super Bowl Halftime Shows since 2019 and is responsible for the politically volatile but culturally momentous choice to bring Bad Bunny to the stage Sunday.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
8 Feb. 2026
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That also includes the lives of our officers when faced with armed juveniles in volatile situations.—
Ryan Murphy,
IndyStar,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
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Studies show annual turnover among nursing assistants can approach 100%, and home care roles see turnover rates of around 75%, reflecting both burnout and unstable hours.—
Allie Canal,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
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The Associated Press reported on February 9 that heavy snowfall and an unstable snowpack were the cause of most of the deaths.—
Owen Clarke,
Outside,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unpredictable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unpredictable. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
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