INSTABILITY Synonyms: 21 Similar and Opposite Words

instability

noun

ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē

Definition of instability

as in unsteadiness

the quality or state of not being firmly fixed in position the instability of the bridge became tragically apparent when it suddenly collapsed

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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 instability This will briefly force temperatures back to the low to mid-70s with a chance of showers and potentially thunderstorms next Tuesday afternoon depending on how much instability is present. — Trey Fulbright, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026 The choice of South Sudan was particularly controversial given its poor human rights record and political instability. — ABC News, 8 Oct. 2026 The political instability, deficit concerns, and doubts over the minority government's capacity to deliver the necessary scale of spending cuts have also rattled investors trading French government debt. — Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 7 Oct. 2026 In Mexico, America’s war on drugs and operations like the Mérida Initiative have fueled violence and instability across the country. — Daniel Peña, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for instability

Recent Examples of Synonyms for instability

Noun

Dogs may also experience unsteadiness or lack of coordination, and in severe cases, seizures or coma may occur.

— Gina Kalsi, PEOPLE, 13 July 2026
Unlike dizziness — which causes lightheadedness or unsteadiness — vertigo feels more like spinning.

— Lindsey Bever, Washington Post, 27 May 2026

Definition of unsteadiness

Noun

The dehumanization of Black people represented by the persistence of Confederate iconography in mainstream culture became an underground signifier of the precariousness of the freedoms enshrined by the 14th Amendment.

— Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
This precariousness of the career path is driving younger generations to seek more reliable employment.

— Brittney Melton, NPR, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of precariousness

Noun

There’s a lot of character packed into that description — a complicated combination of ego, insecurity, cynicism, and self-justification.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
But finding one’s nerve means fighting the everyday vagaries of low self-esteem, depression, self-deception, insecurity, loss, never-ending grief, and narcissists.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of insecurity

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in spite of

instability

install

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“Instability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instability. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of instability

noun

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