instability

[in-stuh-bil-i-tee] / ˌɪn stəˈbɪl ɪ ti /

NOUN

imbalance, inconstancy

Synonyms

STRONGEST

anxiety fluctuation insecurity uncertainty volatility vulnerability weakness

STRONG

alternation capriciousness changeability changeableness disequilibrium disquiet fickleness fitfulness flightiness fluidity frailty hesitation immaturity impermanence inconsistency inquietude irregularity irresolution mutability oscillation pliancy precariousness restlessness shakiness transience unpredictability unreliability unsteadiness vacillation variability wavering

WEAK

unfixedness

Antonyms

STRONG

calm

WEAK

balance constancy soundness stability steadfastness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Benjamin Henwood, a USC social work researcher and co-author of the paper, said that kind of instability can cause people to lose medications, documents, belongings and connections to outreach workers and care providers.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

The luxury industry has been struggling for years with faltering demand for high-end goods against the backdrop of rising prices, trade disputes and geopolitical instability.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

Second, private-credit funds do little of the maturity transformation that lies at the heart of banking instability.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

"For the past five decades, we both have been facing instability in our countries in the form of refugees," Durrani says.

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

The Soviets quickly caught on to the emotional distress and instability of their prized secret agent.

From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau

Vocabulary lists containing instability

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