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
The system also overcomes the volatile risks of gas storage entirely by chemically locking hydrogen into a solid metal hydride during both charging and discharging.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
His on-off girlfriend Anna (Yara Bakri) knows enough to keep her distance during his volatile panic attacks.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
To avoid it, carriers are having to detour around Africa’s southern tip, extending travel times by weeks and pushing maritime traffic directly into the volatile Somali basin.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Why This Market Evolution Matters In practical terms, biomanufacturing can reduce dependency on volatile crop yields, seasonal constraints and the capital expenditures associated with large cultivation footprints.
—Thomas Andersen, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 15 May 2026
His on-off girlfriend Anna (Yara Bakri) knows enough to keep her distance during his volatile panic attacks.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026
To avoid it, carriers are having to detour around Africa’s southern tip, extending travel times by weeks and pushing maritime traffic directly into the volatile Somali basin.
—Nimi Princewill, CNN Money, 15 May 2026
Why This Market Evolution Matters In practical terms, biomanufacturing can reduce dependency on volatile crop yields, seasonal constraints and the capital expenditures associated with large cultivation footprints.
—Thomas Andersen, Rolling Stone, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volatile
Adjective
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That's difficult because oncology is among the most expensive and unpredictable areas of healthcare, with high drug costs and the fragmented care that attracted the company's attention in the first place.—
Ellen Sheng,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
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Produced by Kunal Kemmu and Chirag Nihalani through their Drongo Films banner, Vibe centers on two inseparable friends whose ordinary, unassuming lives spiral into an unpredictable, high-energy adventure that pushes their survival instincts and friendship to the limit.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Why Sorting Laundry Was Traditionally Important Before advances in fabric manufacturing, many dyes were unstable.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
15 May 2026
-
While highly energetic, these ions are unstable.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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High-yield savings and money market accounts, however, have variable rates that will change over time, making interest-earning calculations with both more speculative.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
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The evidence base has thickened with systematic reviews, including a 2023 meta-analysis confirming variable efficacy by pathogen and protocol, but no new RCT of comparable rigor has appeared since.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The inconsistent role wreaked havoc with his shot.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
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Approval processes often depend on manual back-and-forth, while visibility beyond tier one suppliers is inconsistent at best.—
Alex Saric,
Forbes.com,
15 May 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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James Ward Thursday night’s California governor debate underscored just how unsettled — and contentious — the race has become, with candidates repeatedly clashing over crime, election integrity, reproductive rights, and the balance of power between state and local government.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
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In this triumphant tour de force, Crain and a group of fertility patients reckon with the threats to their family future, unearthing hope from an unsettled legal landscape.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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Hulse felt both hopeful and uncertain.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
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What was once a slow and uncertain flow of prospective officers has evolved into a steady stream of qualified candidates, producing record-sized recruit classes.—
Joy Lepola-Stewart,
Baltimore Sun,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Volatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volatile. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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