unsteady

adjective

Definition of unsteadynext
1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence a year of unsteady economic growth

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2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly in the days of sailing ships, mariners were constantly at the mercy of unsteady winds

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3
as in unstable
not being in or able to maintain a state of balance cautiously climbed up the unsteady ladder

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4
as in uneven
not staying constant unsteady business conditions that rattled investors

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unsteady Interesting pair of characters, interesting binary moment for the nation: cranky old McCain the war hero, unpredictable, unsteady perhaps, rumbling around the country on the Straight Talk Express (his bus)—and handsome young Obama, the anointed, the noble profile with his arena-swelling cadences. — James Parker, The Atlantic, 1 Oct. 2024 And will assuredly remain so, barring a highly unexpected climb up the standings from a team that has been unsteady all season. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 15 Feb. 2025 While working a route in Aurora’s 9th Ward, Lockhart noticed an elderly man out walking his dog who was unsteady, ultimately falling and injuring his head. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2025 As an aerodynamics engineer specializing in aeroelastic and unsteady flows, Atlee provided key technical contributions to the original F-16 design that helped define the way that jet looks and flies. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsteady
  1. sporadic
  2. volatile
  3. unstable
  4. uneven
  5. intermittent
  6. unpredictable
  7. occasional
  8. changeful
Adjective
  • Peoples Gas has been onsite multiple times over the winter and identified the boiler exhaust flue as a potential source of the sporadic smell, district officials said.
    — Nell Salzman, Chicago Tribune, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Local media did sporadic stories about the local flooding, but there were endless reports about Western NC, including from national news outlets.
    — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of sporadic
Adjective
  • His masculinity, though less volatile, is as stunted as Stanley’s.
    — Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 12 Mar. 2025
  • While many are penciling in lower stock values due to higher risks of a recession and elevated inflation due to a rising chance of a trade war, others say the volatile stock market needs some context.
    — Medora Lee, USA TODAY, 11 Mar. 2025
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • On the flip side, the cushy, rocker-bottom shoe that makes your miles feel oh-so-smooth can leave you wobbly and unstable in the weight room.
    — Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 11 Mar. 2025
  • Our dependence on oil puts countless service members’ lives at risk and reinforces our reliance on a volatile and unstable global market with the potential to devastate the U.S. economy.
    — James Brock, Sun Sentinel, 9 Mar. 2025
Definition of unstable
Adjective
  • The main story is very strangely uneven, the routes and caves are often straight pathways with little in them, and none of it is really difficult at all.
    — Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 12 Mar. 2025
  • The formula’s thicker consistency also smooths the nail out, filling in any ridges and uneven texture of the polish.
    — Siena Gagliano, Allure, 5 Mar. 2025
Definition of uneven
Adjective
  • The intermittent reward of finding something new and interesting does not allow the brain to relax and get ready to sleep.
    — Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 7 Mar. 2025
  • And while some similarly reparative serums require some downtime or intermittent usage, this can be applied mindlessly.
    — Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Mar. 2025
Definition of intermittent
Adjective
  • March Madness will always be unpredictable—but that doesn't mean your bracket has to be.
    — Kilty Cleary, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025
  • Sometimes, as today’s business leaders are well aware, the future is unpredictable, and its demands are unprecedented.
    — Anar Mammadov, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • Winds will increase during the afternoon hours, with occasional gusts to around 15 to 20 mph.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2025
  • Tom Penn’s empathic drumming and Gabriela García’s occasional ethereal singing provide the soundtrack of French Quarter fear and self-loathing, while Medeleine Girling’s set design consists simply of a wood platform roughly 25 by 25 feet across laying on top of cinderblocks.
    — Dalton Ross, EW.com, 12 Mar. 2025
Definition of occasional
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of changeful

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Cite this Entry

“Unsteady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsteady. Accessed 21 Mar. 2025.

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