1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
a year of unsteady economic growth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unstable
not being in or able to maintain a state of balance
cautiously climbed up the unsteady ladder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uneven
not staying constant
unsteady business conditions that rattled investors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
She's come to terms with the unsteady income, but even with acceptance, Wall admits that times do get tough.
—
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 19 June 2025
The early moments with Scott’s Anne Marie are unsteady.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Despite this, the market feels a bit more unsteady than usual.
—Nick Jachim, The Hill, 26 Apr. 2025
The camera swirls around the scene, unsteady and swift.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 19 June 2025
The early moments with Scott’s Anne Marie are unsteady.
—Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Despite this, the market feels a bit more unsteady than usual.
—Nick Jachim, The Hill, 26 Apr. 2025
The camera swirls around the scene, unsteady and swift.
—Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 16 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsteady
Adjective
-
Hamas long ago expended the vast majority of its rocket arsenal, able now to launch only sporadic rockets that have near-zero impact.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
-
After several days of spotty showers, a few stronger, scarier storms, and sporadic outbreaks of sunshine, Austin has virtually zero rain chances on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.—
Roberto Villalpando,
Austin American Statesman,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
That matters for investors seeking capital preservation as equity and bond markets remain volatile.—
Artem Milinchuk,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
Yet, her bounce-back with a 2-under across the next 15 holes shows how volatile golf can be.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
For manufacturers using Odoo, a strategic approach to agentic AI can help prepare for unstable markets, rising costs, shifting customer demands and hostile geopolitics.—
Dmitriy Stepanov,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
But Haiti remains unstable, Columbus' Manuel said, disputing the government's claim that conditions have improved there.—
Danae King,
USA Today,
7 July 2025
Adjective
-
The pandemic may have accelerated long-standing public health challenges, and the recovery, the study makes clear, has been uneven and incomplete.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
-
Spongy or uneven surfaces are caused by structural weakening from internal damage.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
However, the available data indicates that for the past several months there has been a persistent presence of hydrogen sulfide, causing intermittent exposure to levels that some studies and environmental health experts suggest can cause respiratory complications.—
Tammy Murga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 July 2025
-
Itasca received intermittent voice messages from Earhart as her signal increased.—
Christopher Cann,
USA Today,
4 July 2025
Adjective
-
Unlike cheaper rebounders that can feel stiff or unpredictable, this one stays sturdy and responsive.—
Jordan Galloway,
SELF,
15 July 2025
-
Trump criticized the Russian leader, describing Putin as unpredictable.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Millions of children play sports with overwhelmingly positive outcomes, despite the occasional scraped knee, or in rare and tragic cases, serious injuries and even death.—
Larry Magid,
Mercury News,
10 July 2025
-
And far in the distance, whenever there's a lull in the party, an occasional cheer can be heard from Centre Court, less than a quarter-mile away — where some of these lucky campers will be watching world-class tennis the next day.—
Lauren Frayer,
NPR,
10 July 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Unsteady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsteady. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share