unstable
adjective/ʌnˈsteɪbl/
/ʌnˈsteɪbl/
Word Family
- stable adjective (≠ unstable)
- stability noun (≠ instability)
- stabilize verb
- likely to change suddenly synonym volatile
- The political situation remains highly unstable.
Extra ExamplesTopics Moneyb2- The building trade is notoriously unstable.
- a politically unstable region
- This would leave us with either a very unstable currency or very unstable interest rates.
- We are talking about how these people cope in a politically and economically unstable environment.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- seem
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- if people are unstable, their behaviour and emotions change often and suddenly because their minds are upset
- He's highly unstable, and liable to sudden fits of rage.
- vulnerable, emotionally unstable individuals
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- seem
- become
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- likely to move or fall
- Icebergs are notoriously unstable and are likely to turn over.
Extra Examples- The building was beginning to get unstable.
- The wall was dangerously unstable.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- appear
- be
- seem
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- (specialist) (of a substance) not staying in the same chemical or atomic state
- chemically unstable
opposite stable see also instability
Check pronunciation:
unstable