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destabilize

[dee-stey-buh-lahyz]
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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.
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Also especially British, de·sta·bi·lise.

Origin of destabilize

First recorded in 1930–35; de- + stabilize
Related formsde·sta·bi·li·za·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

diminishthwartlessenunderminedestabilizeminimizefoildamage

Examples from the Web for destabilize

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

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

    After the Rain

    Sam Vaknin

British Dictionary definitions for destabilize

destabilize

destabilise

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

Word Origin and History for destabilize

v.

1934 in a physical sense; earlier (1924) with reference to political systems, governments, nations, etc.; see de- + stabilize. Related: Destabilized; destabilizing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper