destabilize

[ dee-stey-buh-lahyz ]

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.

destabilize

/ diːˈsteɪbɪˌlaɪz /

verb

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

Derived Forms

• ˌdestabiliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• de·stabi·li·zation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of destabilize¹

First recorded in 1930–35; de- + stabilize

Example Sentences

This process could have led to the water getting warmer, destabilizing the adjacent ice sheet.

From Science News

The current challenges around cloud migration focus on application readiness, risk of destabilizing the legacy environment, cost implications, and security implications of different cloud technologies.

From MIT Technology Review

In the past, carbon dioxide from fires would be reabsorbed when plants regrew in subsequent years, but 2019’s fire emissions rose, potentially destabilizing that balance.

From Vox

Zuri Williams said the disruption destabilized Zora Williams’ academic career.

From Voice of San Diego

They believe that every detainee has actively resisted and is part of an organization whose sole aim is to “destabilize the situation in the country.”

From Ozy

The lies are just the latest attempt to destabilize a fractured country.

From The Daily Beast

I believe that Iranian TV wishes to destabilize my family, who live in a small town.

From The Daily Beast

Now they are in Donetsk region, many paid by Yanukovych, who is still dreaming to destabilize life in Ukraine.

From The Daily Beast

A campaign to destabilize the country has escalated rapidly this year.

From The Daily Beast

Putin will seek to intimidate, apply pressure and destabilize.

From The Daily Beast

To convince the West of the quality of its wares, China demonstrates its capacity to destabilize in various corners of the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• diminish
• lessen
• thwart
• undermine