instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
: the quality or state of being unstable
especially
: lack of emotional or mental stability
Examples of instability in a Sentence
Investors are worried about the current instability of the stock market.
The patient has a history of emotional instability.
Recent Examples on the Web
LTOs offer a moment of joy, control, and relevance in a time of rising costs and systemic instability.
—
Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
At the same time, France was experiencing extreme instability in its domestic politics.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
This beautiful tropical country was long considered a no-go because of civil unrest and economic instability.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 30 May 2025
But these lessons apply well beyond that moment—to any period of economic instability.
—Harvard Business Review, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instability
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.
Stephanie Gravalese, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
At the same time, France was experiencing extreme instability in its domestic politics.
—Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 2 June 2025
This beautiful tropical country was long considered a no-go because of civil unrest and economic instability.
—Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 30 May 2025
But these lessons apply well beyond that moment—to any period of economic instability.
—Harvard Business Review, 28 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for instability
Cite this Entry
“Instability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instability. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē
: the quality or state of being unstable
Medical Definition
instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural instabilities
: the quality or state of being unstable
especially
: lack of emotional or mental stability
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share