1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
a year of unsteady economic growth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
in the days of sailing ships, mariners were constantly at the mercy of unsteady winds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unstable
not being in or able to maintain a state of balance
cautiously climbed up the unsteady ladder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uneven
not staying constant
unsteady business conditions that rattled investors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of unsteady
Oil prices have been unsteady as hopes rise and fade that the United States and Iran can reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Part of bringing those plays to life for a cornerback is forcing throws his way as well as unsteady connections.
—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Fledglings can look unsteady or weak, but the parents are nearby for protection.
—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
Play Me is third in a series of startling collaborations with producer Justin Raisen, making an unsteady blend of hip-hop textures and the noisy avant-garde.
—
Spin Staff,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
9 June 2026
Part of bringing those plays to life for a cornerback is forcing throws his way as well as unsteady connections.
—
Nate Atkins,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
Fledglings can look unsteady or weak, but the parents are nearby for protection.
—
Blythe Copeland,
Martha Stewart,
6 June 2026
Play Me is third in a series of startling collaborations with producer Justin Raisen, making an unsteady blend of hip-hop textures and the noisy avant-garde.
—
Spin Staff,
SPIN,
1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsteady
Adjective
-
The only other competitors were the Anglo-French Concorde and the sporadic Soviet Tupolev Tu-144 program.
-
Redevelopment in downtown Miami and the accidental discovery of the mysterious Miami Circle in 1998 have ushered in a quarter-century of sporadic but remarkable archaeological revelations.
Adjective
-
Related Stories Set in 1948 Malaya in the volatile years that followed the end of World War II, the film traces a Malay soldier and a British soldier who are left behind after the British military withdraws.
-
While the rally continued into early 2026, trade soon turned volatile.
Adjective
-
The conservation team will secure unstable paint before cleaning the works with fiber lasers.
-
Most of the people with the dragons are either unstable or idiots, or both.
Adjective
-
Household financial resilience also remains uneven, even when many adults report doing okay or living comfortably.
-
The uneven workmanship of the double stitching suggests the giant flag was likely made by amateurs, curators with the historical society have determined.
Adjective
-
Expanding its use displaces coal in Asia and supports the integration of intermittent renewables by providing flexible backup.
-
Research has shown, for example, that intermittent fasting may be as effective as low-calorie diets for weight loss.
Adjective
-
Analysts expect gas prices to continue falling but remain unpredictable due to geopolitical tensions.
-
Your personal life could feel crowded, unpredictable and emotionally overwhelming, Scorpio.
Adjective
-
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.
Adjective
-
Luke Russert joined his father for major political conventions and occasional shows on the road, Fischer Martin said.
-
This frequent, high-profile casting strategy, distinct from occasional star cameos, transforms 'Oh, Mary' into a dynamic, high-demand theatrical experience.
Cite this Entry
“Unsteady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsteady. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
