destabilize

[ dee-stey-buh-lahyz ]
See synonyms for destabilize on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object),de·sta·bi·lized, de·sta·bi·liz·ing.
  1. to make unstable; rid of stabilizing attributes: conflicts that tend to destabilize world peace.

Origin of destabilize

1
First recorded in 1930–35; de- + stabilize
  • Also especially British, de·sta·bi·lise .

Other words from destabilize

  • de·sta·bi·li·za·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use destabilize in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for destabilize

destabilize

destabilise

/ (diːˈsteɪbɪˌlaɪz) /


verb
  1. (tr) to undermine or subvert (a government, economy, etc) so as to cause unrest or collapse

Derived forms of destabilize

  • destabilization or destabilisation, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012