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.

Four recently published UCLA-led studies draw a direct line between climate disasters, housing instability and homelessness, with researchers pointing to the 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires as one of the starkest recent examples.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2026

Luxury brands have been struggling for years with shrinking demand for high-end goods, as well as tough market conditions including 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

"It is also the case that the current instability in the Gulf is creating inflationary pressures which mean the upper end of our 2030 forecast is now even higher."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

There was an instability in the upper atmosphere.

From "The London Eye Mystery" by Siobhan Dowd

Vocabulary lists containing instability

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