unstable
adjective
un·sta·ble
ˌən-ˈstā-bəl 
: not stable : not firm or fixed : not constant: such as
a
: not steady in action or movement : irregular
an unstable pulse
b
: wavering in purpose or intent : vacillating
c
: lacking steadiness : apt to move, sway, or fall
an unstable tower
d(1)
: liable to change or alteration
an unstable economy
unstable weather
(2)
: readily changing (as by decomposing) in chemical or physical composition or in biological activity
e
: characterized by lack of emotional control
unstableness
noun
Examples of unstable in a Sentence
an unstable nuclear reactor core
the minute we put the books down on the unstable desk, the whole stack went crashing to the floor
Recent Examples on the Web
In the past, recruiters have discouraged workers from job-hopping because it was looked upon as unstable and irresponsible.
—
Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Harris has leaned heavily on presenting Trump as unstable, unhinged, and dictatorial in the final weeks of the campaign.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
Tensions surged in the Middle East as Palestinians, forced from their homes, sought shelter in an already unstable Lebanon.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
But timing is everything in show business, and Farrow wasn’t sure whether this unstable moment in American political history was the right time to make a Broadway return.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unstable 
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Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Harris has leaned heavily on presenting Trump as unstable, unhinged, and dictatorial in the final weeks of the campaign.
—W. James Antle Iii, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Nov. 2024
Tensions surged in the Middle East as Palestinians, forced from their homes, sought shelter in an already unstable Lebanon.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024
But timing is everything in show business, and Farrow wasn’t sure whether this unstable moment in American political history was the right time to make a Broadway return.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unstable
Dictionary Entries Near unstable
Cite this Entry
“Unstable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unstable. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unstable
adjective
un·sta·ble
ˌən-ˈstā-bəl
ˈən-
1
: not stable : not firm or fixed : fluctuating
unstable prices
an unstable tower
unstable weather
2
: readily changing in chemical composition or physical state or properties (as by breaking down into parts)
an unstable atomic nucleus
Medical Definition
unstable
adjective
un·sta·ble
-ˈstā-bəl
: not stable: as
a
: characterized by frequent or unpredictable changes
a patient in unstable condition
b
: readily changing (as by decomposing) in chemical composition or biological activity
unstable compounds
c
: characterized by lack of emotional control or stability
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