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 country has the largest oil reserves in Africa but the years of fighting and instability have left them chronically underdeveloped.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026

It’s a remarkable feat in the face of the ongoing instability in the Middle East.

From Barron's • 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

There was an instability in the upper atmosphere.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd

Vocabulary lists containing instability

Southeast Asia - Middle School

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Southeast Asia - High School

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