destabilize

American  

[dee-stey-buh-lahyz] / diˈsteɪ bəˌlaɪz /

especially British, destabilise

verb (used with object)

destabilized, destabilizing

1. to make unstable; rid of stabilizing attributes.

   conflicts that tend to destabilize world peace.

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destabilize British  

/ diːˈsteɪbɪˌlaɪz /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• destabilization noun

Etymology

Origin of destabilize

First recorded in 1930–35; de- + stabilize

Example Sentences

The Netflix series gets a feature-film coda starring Cillian Murphy and Barry Keoghan, following the Shelby family as it becomes entangled in a German plan to destabilize the British economy.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 19, 2026

Instead of protecting cells, the heightened repair activity can harm neurons and destabilize the genome, which may increase the risk of cancer.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 2026

These actions have threatened to destabilize a school system with large numbers of immigrant families.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

While acknowledging there are geopolitical risks stemming from, say, an escalation in hostilities with Iran, that could disrupt and destabilize markets, any dips should prove to be buying opportunities, the report says.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 23, 2026

“It seems to me that you are all determined to start a panic that will destabilize everything we have worked for these last thirteen years!”

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

• diminish
• lessen
• thwart
• undermine