instability
Americannoun
-
the quality or state of being unstable; lack of stability or firmness.
-
the tendency to behave in an unpredictable, changeable, or erratic manner.
emotional instability.
noun
-
lack of stability or steadiness
-
tendency to variable or unpredictable behaviour
-
physics a fast growing disturbance or wave in a plasma
Etymology
Origin of instability
1375–1425; late Middle English instabilite < Latin instabilitās. See in- 3, stability
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Excessive power and instability go hand in hand.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
"I worry that we are in for a prolonged period of instability and uncertainty," said Brownstein, "that has important follow-on effects."
From Barron's • Mar. 27, 2026
"The decisions we have taken have put us in a better position to protect the country's finances and family finances from global instability," she said.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
Whether in Kyiv or Khan Younis, war has ceased to be a mechanism for conflict resolution and has instead become a perpetuator of instability, humiliation and loss.
From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026
The Soviets quickly caught on to the emotional distress and instability of their prized secret agent.
From "Spies: The Secret Showdown Between America and Russia" by Marc Favreau
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
