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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Recent Examples of instability
Shorter telomeres are associated with genetic instability.
—
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Like many other industrialized nations, Japan in the 1930s turned to fascism and the construction of autarkic economic empires as a solution to the instabilities engendered by capitalist modernity.
—Waiyee Loh, JSTOR Daily, 2 July 2025
The Gulf Cooperation Council was formed in 1981 as an alliance of the Gulf Arab monarchies in response to growing regional instability, including revolutionary Iran and the Iran-Iraq War.
—Dina Esfandiary, Time, 1 July 2025
Advertisement Strikes reinforce Chinese view of U.S. instability China already saw the U.S. under the Trump Administration as an unstable partner, particularly after Trump slammed the world with staggering tariff rates before abruptly reversing course.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instability
Ian Randall, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 July 2025
Like many other industrialized nations, Japan in the 1930s turned to fascism and the construction of autarkic economic empires as a solution to the instabilities engendered by capitalist modernity.
—Waiyee Loh, JSTOR Daily, 2 July 2025
The Gulf Cooperation Council was formed in 1981 as an alliance of the Gulf Arab monarchies in response to growing regional instability, including revolutionary Iran and the Iran-Iraq War.
—Dina Esfandiary, Time, 1 July 2025
Advertisement Strikes reinforce Chinese view of U.S. instability China already saw the U.S. under the Trump Administration as an unstable partner, particularly after Trump slammed the world with staggering tariff rates before abruptly reversing course.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for instability
Recent Examples of Synonyms for instability
Noun
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The episode underscores the precariousness of elite status in Putin’s Russia—and the unpredictable consequences for those who lose the president’s trust.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
7 July 2025
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Housing costs, especially for renters, have pushed Florida families into financial precariousness more than any other household expense, said United Way of Florida CEO Melissa Nelson.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2025
Noun
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And the savings in reducing extreme weather damage, health care costs, crop failure, water insecurity and more will pay dividends all their lives.—
Joan Meiners,
AZCentral.com,
6 July 2025
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Navigating that rent hike sparked her passion for connecting people with resources like food, transportation and other essentials in times of need or financial insecurity.—
Molly Davis,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Instability.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/instability. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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