instability
Americannoun
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the quality or state of being unstable; lack of stability or firmness.
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the tendency to behave in an unpredictable, changeable, or erratic manner.
emotional instability.
noun
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lack of stability or steadiness
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tendency to variable or unpredictable behaviour
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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.
The moment sparked a broader conversation about the realities of working actors’ lives, and the instability that often comes with careers in entertainment.
From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026
Quantum stocks were notoriously volatile long before the recent bout of market instability.
From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026
Excessive power and instability go hand in hand.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026
Some of what has impacted the unimpressive growth of the addressable audience for home entertainment has been the instability of the market.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026
Scientists now accept instability of volcanoes as a major hazard.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
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.
