as in unpredictable
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a boss of volatile moods is frustrating to work for
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of volatile
The tug-of-war over space shuttle Discovery is becoming more volatile.
—
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2025
America's increasingly volatile political atmosphere means similar provocative stunts are likely in the coming months.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Though both sides have effective defenses, the Jags rely on creating turnovers, which is a more volatile week-over-week metric than the Rams’ deep and scalable pass rush.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
When headlines surge and prices are volatile, the urge to act can overwhelm an investor’s objectivity.
—Chris Stevens, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Josh Dinner, Space.com, 22 Oct. 2025
America's increasingly volatile political atmosphere means similar provocative stunts are likely in the coming months.
—James Bickerton, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Oct. 2025
Though both sides have effective defenses, the Jags rely on creating turnovers, which is a more volatile week-over-week metric than the Rams’ deep and scalable pass rush.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
When headlines surge and prices are volatile, the urge to act can overwhelm an investor’s objectivity.
—Chris Stevens, Nashville Tennessean, 19 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for volatile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volatile
Adjective
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His characters were often brutally unpredictable.—
Joy Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
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New York can be very unpredictable and has been this season.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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These early casualties highlight the risks posed by prolonged rainfall and unstable terrain, even before a storm reaches peak intensity.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 Oct. 2025
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Earlier types of electrides were unstable and difficult to reproduce.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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For existing customers, credit cards often have variable rates, which drop after the prime rate falls.—
Susan Tompor,
Freep.com,
23 Oct. 2025
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Individual responses to coffee are highly variable.—
Heidi Moawad,
Verywell Health,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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By the end of the season, one of the biggest conversations regarding the WNBA revolved around what many saw as inconsistent officiating, which can arguably result in mixed messages about what level of physicality is allowed on the court.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
27 Oct. 2025
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Fairlead Strategies or its affiliates may have positions in financial instruments mentioned, may have acquired such positions at prices no longer available, and may have interests different from or adverse to your interests or inconsistent with the advice herein.—
Katie Stockton,
CNBC,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Because of its unfortunate history, many patient deaths occurred, and many unsettled spirits still haunt The Crescent Hotel.—
Noreen Kompanik,
Boston Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
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Looking ahead, the National Weather Service in Wilmington, Ohio, says unsettled weather is possible next week.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Akheem Mesidor’s status uncertain Those wanting to know more about Hurricanes edge rusher Akheem Mesidor’s status for Saturday’s game against Stanford will have to wait a little bit longer.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
26 Oct. 2025
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Major deals now feature 20-30 year funding horizons—extraordinary bets on technologies whose commercial viability five years from now remains uncertain.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
26 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Volatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volatile. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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