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
During routine inspection and maintenance, Austin Parks and Recreation and Austin Watershed Protection staff determined that a portion of the original 1940s bypass — an infrastructure feature designed to manage Barton Creek flow — is now unsupported underneath and potentially unstable.
—
Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Ocasio 31 years ago in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, has certainly questioned the administration’s practice of harassing and breaking promises to Latinos, especially those from unstable nations who have sought asylum here.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Players may be asked whether a coup will occur in an unstable country, or to project the future deforestation rate in some part of the Amazon.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
The very foundation of winter sport is becoming unstable.
—Ukaleq Slettemark, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Dante Motley, Austin American Statesman, 11 Feb. 2026
Ocasio 31 years ago in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, has certainly questioned the administration’s practice of harassing and breaking promises to Latinos, especially those from unstable nations who have sought asylum here.
—Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Feb. 2026
Players may be asked whether a coup will occur in an unstable country, or to project the future deforestation rate in some part of the Amazon.
—Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 11 Feb. 2026
The very foundation of winter sport is becoming unstable.
—Ukaleq Slettemark, Time, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unstable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unstable
Adjective
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The only problem is the Heat are a commendable but unsteady evangelist for trying to win every night out.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Feb. 2026
-
The most vulnerable consumers would include those who have unsteady hours at work, paychecks that vary significantly week to week, and often only are able to make the minimum monthly payments.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
8 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images As stock markets continue to be volatile, investors looking for a stable income stream can bolster their portfolios with the addition of attractive dividend stocks.—
,
CNBC,
15 Feb. 2026
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Core inflation, which strips out volatile categories, was also right in line with expectations.—
Steve Kopack,
NBC news,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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In some studies, gloves not changed between tasks had higher bacterial counts and could transfer germs just as easily as ungloved hands, underscoring the need for frequent changing and proper hand hygiene.—
Evan Moore
December 19,
Charlotte Observer,
19 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
This could be precarious territory, given the negative history many Black communities have reported having with police departments.—
Demetrius Patterson,
HollywoodReporter,
11 Feb. 2026
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In the past, migrants with few other options have also taken precarious boat rides from Cuba to Florida's coast.—
Greg Norman-Diamond,
FOXNews.com,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This delay has raised concerns about the safety of robots, drones, and autonomous vehicles operating in unpredictable environments.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
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This is ideal for decades of sliding across the ice, because bigger mineral grains are more likely to get plucked out by the ice, leaving holes in the surface that could cause unpredictable behavior.—
Andrea Thompson,
Scientific American,
10 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Despite substantial investment, outcomes remain uneven, and access to alternatives is often constrained by income.—
Carol Platt Liebau,
Hartford Courant,
5 Feb. 2026
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Bets on economic resilience have recently fueled gains in companies that tend to benefit from improving growth prospects, the latest data underscored the uneven labor market characterized by limited numbers of overall dismissals and lackluster hiring.—
Rita Nazareth,
Fortune,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Lincoln’s Rock has long been one of the Blue Mountains’ quieter sunset spots — a rocky overhang with sweeping views across eucalyptus valleys just outside Sydney.—
Trista Kurniawan,
CNN Money,
11 Feb. 2026
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To be sure, the year has gotten off to a rocky start for stocks, which remain near highs.—
Michelle Fox,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Even within a single day, temporary weight shifts are common and are often due to varying levels of fluid retention.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unstable. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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