instability

[ in-stuh-bil-i-tee ]

/ ˌɪn stəˈbɪl ɪ ti /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR instability ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

Nearby words

Origin of instability

1375–1425; late Middle English instabilite < Latin instabilitās. See in-³, stability

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for instability

Paul will argue that such military force does little to combat the issues at the heart of instability.
Rand Paul Channels Malala to Bash Obama|Olivia Nuzzi|October 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The elections brought instead of stability, instability to Afghanistan,” said this official, “and it will never end.
Kabul Airport Attack Comes as Pakistani Fighters Join Afghan Taliban|Sami Yousafzai|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our unpopular and unending interventions in the Middle East brought nothing but instability.
Welcome to Snowpiercer’s Apocalypse|Teo Bugbee|June 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Russians are buying up London property as a way to protect their money against the instability at home.
London’s Oligarch Ghost Town|Tom Sykes|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

That would be a recipe not just for Ukrainian instability but for instability and upheaval throughout the entire region.
Putin: The Cold War Comeback Kid|Andrew Nagorski|May 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In every way I have been taught my weakness, my instability, and my unfitness for the world.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 7 (of 25)|Robert Louis Stevenson
Texas, resenting the instability of Creole government, separated from the Mexican States after a devastating war.
Mexico|Charles Reginald Enock
But never before had I realized so fully what the instability of all earthly greatness means.
Three Months Abroad|Anna Vivanti
The instability of the element, however, on which they fought, prevented them from using their weapons with effect.
The Evil Eye; Or, The Black Spector|William Carleton
There was much depth in your statement of the present instability being consequent upon the stagnation of three hundred years.
The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 2|Elizabeth Bisland

British Dictionary definitions for instability

instability

/ (ˌɪnstəˈbɪlɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

lack of stability or steadiness

tendency to variable or unpredictable behaviour

physics a fast growing disturbance or wave in a plasma

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 instability

instability

early 15c., from Middle French instabilite "inconstancy," from Latin instabilitatem (nominative instabilitas) "unsteadiness," from instabilis "unsteady," from in- "not, opposite of" (see in- (1)) + stabilis (see stable (2)).

instability

noun

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Origin of instability

Examples from the Web for instability

instability

noun plural -ties

instability