unsteady

1 of 2

verb

un·​steady ˌən-ˈste-dē How to pronounce unsteady (audio)
unsteadied; unsteadying; unsteadies

transitive verb

: to make unsteady

unsteady

2 of 2

adjective

: not steady: such as
a
: not firm or solid : not fixed in position : unstable
b
: marked by change or fluctuation : changeable
c
: not uniform or even : irregular
an unsteady pulse
unsteadily adverb
unsteadiness noun

Examples of unsteady in a Sentence

Adjective He was a little unsteady on his feet. The horse walked with an unsteady gait. He signed his name with an unsteady hand. The progress of the work has been unsteady. a period of unsteady growth
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Verb
The changes offered purpose and vital human connections that seemed to serve as moorings in a life too routinely unsteadied by the gathering gloom. San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Sep. 2019 The rocks shifted and wobbled beneath my feet as the robust current pushed against my legs, unsteadying me. Cheryl Strayed, Vogue, 17 July 2018
Adjective
As Mayer's car pushed into Retzlaff's from behind, the unsteady contact propelled Retzlaff into the outside wall, with Josh Williams striking Mayer from behind and subsequently being hit by Chandler Smith. David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024 What this general move toward more daring design says about the end of 2024 is that this continues to be an unsteady year for watches, both financially and aesthetically. Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsteady 

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1532, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1551, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsteady was in 1532

Dictionary Entries Near unsteady

Cite this Entry

“Unsteady.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsteady. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

unsteady

adjective
un·​steady
ˌən-ˈsted-ē,
ˈən-
: not steady : unstable
unsteadily
-ˈsted-ᵊl-ē
adverb
unsteadiness
-ˈsted-ē-nəs
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on unsteady

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!