unreliable

[ uhn-ri-lahy-uh-buhl ]

/ ˌʌn rɪˈlaɪ ə bəl /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for unreliable on Thesaurus.com

adjective

not reliable; not to be relied or depended on.

OTHER WORDS FOR unreliable

undependable, irresponsible, untrustworthy.

See synonyms for unreliable on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON AFFECT VS. EFFECT!

In effect, this quiz will prove whether or not you have the skills to know the difference between “affect” and “effect.”

Question 1 of 7

The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.

affect

effect

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of unreliable

First recorded in 1830–40; un-¹ + reliable

OTHER WORDS FROM unreliable

un·re·li·a·bil·i·ty, un·re·li·a·ble·ness, nounun·re·li·a·bly, adverb

How to use unreliable in a sentence

As climate change makes those sources more unreliable, municipalities like the city of San Diego are trying to develop their own resources by repurposing wastewater.
Two Companies See a Golden Opportunity in the Tijuana River’s Brown Waters|MacKenzie Elmer|November 20, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Considering the fact that self reporting—the only way we have to determine these statistics—is unreliable, that number is probably far higher.
I Hit a Cyclist with My Car|Brooke Warren|October 28, 2020|Outside Online
NYC Mesh then distributes the bandwidth wirelessly, giving new internet access options to people who live where the ISP’s service doesn’t reach or is unreliable.
The volunteers blanketing cities with wireless internet|Katie McLean|October 21, 2020|MIT Technology Review
A signal requires detail and structure, and any attempt to send a detailed signal will always be faster sent through the air than through an unreliable barrier.
Quantum Tunnels Show How Particles Can Break the Speed of Light|Natalie Wolchover|October 20, 2020|Quanta Magazine

In developing countries, meanwhile, systems have been tweaked to accommodate unreliable electricity supplies and small budgets.
Inside Singapore’s huge bet on vertical farming|Katie McLean|October 13, 2020|MIT Technology Review
Tom LeClair on a confusing mix of neuroscience, George W. Bush, and unreliability.
The Brain Man: What is E. L. Doctorow Up to?|Tom LeClair|January 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With all the caveats I provided above about the extreme unreliability of these estimates, I agree with this series of statements.
How Not to Cherry-Pick the Results of the Oregon Study (Ultrawonkish)|Megan McArdle|May 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The 2012 unilateral operation against bin Laden was the right call given the unreliability of our Pakistani ally.
The Essential Spy Guide|Henry A. Crumpton|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Private employers complain of scarcity and the unreliability of the unskilled labourer.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
He had had bitter experience of the cruelty and unreliability of the Indians in 1779 but had to go with them in 1780.
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 5, 1920|Various
These gave the horse the reputation of capriciousness and unreliability.
Clever Hans|Oskar Pfungst
This was one objection to it—its unreliability and consequent possible injustice.
Civil War and Reconstruction in Alabama|Walter L. Fleming
The chief faults of the rim-fire cartridges are danger and unreliability caused by the action of heat on the lubricant.
The Modern American Pistol and Revolver|A. C. Gould

British Dictionary definitions for unreliable

unreliable

/ (ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbəl) /

adjective

not reliable; untrustworthyan unreliable witness

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

unreliable

OTHER WORDS FOR unreliable

Origin of unreliable

OTHER WORDS FROM unreliable

Words related to unreliable

How to use unreliable in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for unreliable