as in unpredictable
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a boss of volatile moods is frustrating to work for
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of volatile
Contingent workers allow mine owners to adjust headcount to the volatile price of metals and to field engineers with specialized skills in critical minerals.
—
Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
These rankings are volatile early in the season, rewarding what appear to be impressive wins.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
The realism of the drills, officials said, was intentional: Each scenario was designed to mirror the volatile mix of protest and confrontation that has become increasingly common in American cities.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
That’s particularly important given volatile consumption in and geopolitical uncertainty around China, today its largest overseas base.
—Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Srishti Gupta, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2025
These rankings are volatile early in the season, rewarding what appear to be impressive wins.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025
The realism of the drills, officials said, was intentional: Each scenario was designed to mirror the volatile mix of protest and confrontation that has become increasingly common in American cities.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Sep. 2025
That’s particularly important given volatile consumption in and geopolitical uncertainty around China, today its largest overseas base.
—Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volatile
Adjective
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Charleston’s unpredictable climate means summer can stretch well into October, then randomly resurface in January.—
Jenn Rice,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
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With recent polls showing Mamdani leading his rivals by double digits, the intersection of Hochul’s pragmatism, Mamdani’s outreach, and the powerful symbolism of their evolving relationship promises a uniquely unpredictable contest for New York’s future.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Interest generally petered off after Boelter’s unstable condition came to light, as his murders appeared to lack a partisan motivation.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
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Chen has participated in both the supplier and wholesale sides of the alcoholic beverage three-tier system during his career and has witnessed the data discrepancy pain points under unstable policy change and nuanced market data in both segments.—
Nish Acharya,
Forbes.com,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There’s also a type of automatic called a continuously variable transmission (also known as a CVT) that eschews a set of gears for a pair of variable-width pulleys connected by a belt.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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However, advocates say that the two are complementary, with SMRs providing dependable power that can adjust to inherently variable energy sources such as wind and solar power.—
Anna Heim,
Fortune,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Oliver Glasner cannot be accused of giving out inconsistent messages.—
Matt Woosnam,
New York Times,
15 Sep. 2025
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Fairlead Strategies or its affiliates may have positions in financial instruments mentioned, may have acquired such positions at prices no longer available, and may have interests different from or adverse to your interests or inconsistent with the advice herein.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
15 Sep. 2025
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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Controversial claims of room-temperature superconductors remain unsettled.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Sep. 2025
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This is an unsettled team that enters this season with a ton of questions surrounding their top players (can Thatcher Demko stay healthy?—
Jonas Siegel,
New York Times,
13 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In a world that is polarized, volatile, uncertain, complex and shifting all the time, your leadership can offer a beacon of both continuity and hope.—
Tracy Brower,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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That leaves uncertain whether the threats might actually lead to new tariffs or a ban on Russian oil purchases.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
14 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Volatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volatile. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
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