unstable

American  

[uhn-stey-buhl] / ʌnˈsteɪ bəl /

adjective

1. not stable; not firm or firmly fixed; unsteady.

2. liable to fall or sway.

   Synonyms:

   precarious

3. unsteadfast; inconstant; wavering.

   unstable convictions.

   Synonyms:

   vacillating

4. marked by emotional instability.

   an unstable person.

5. irregular in movement.

   an unstable heartbeat.

6. Chemistry. noting compounds that readily decompose or change into other compounds.

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unstable British  

/ ʌnˈsteɪbəl /

adjective

1. lacking stability, fixity, or firmness

2. disposed to temperamental, emotional, or psychological variability

3. (of a chemical compound) readily decomposing

4. physics

   1. (of an elementary particle) having a very short lifetime

   2. spontaneously decomposing by nuclear decay; radioactive

      an unstable nuclide

5. electronics (of an electrical circuit, mechanical body, etc) having a tendency to self-oscillation

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unstable Scientific  

/ ŭn-stā′bəl /

1. Liable to undergo spontaneous decay into some other form. For example, the nucleus of uranium 238 atom is unstable and changes by radioactive decay into the nucleus of thorium 234, a lighter element. Many subatomic particles, such as muons and neutrons, are unstable and decay quickly into other particles.

2. See more at decay

3. Relating to a chemical compound that readily decomposes or changes into other compounds or into elements.

4. Relating to an atom or chemical element that is likely to share electrons; reactive.

5. Characterized by uncertain or inadequate response to treatment and the potential for unfavorable outcome, as the status of a medical condition or disease.

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Related Words

See unsettled.

Other Word Forms

• unstableness noun
• unstably adverb

Etymology

Origin of unstable

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English; un- ¹ + stable ²

Explanation

To be unstable is to lack stability, meaning things could change without warning, like an unstable bookshelf that is likely to fall down. If you are unstable emotionally, you might be ecstatically happy one minute and horribly depressed and angry the next. The adjective unstable means the opposite of stable. Stable is derived from the Latin base word stare meaning “to stand.” If a building, family, person, bridge, or chemical solution is stable it will “stand still,” even if something unexpected happens. On the other hand, if a person or thing is unstable and stress is applied, he, she, or it is likely to shift position, possibly in a dangerous way.

Example Sentences

When recycled materials are stranded because of onerous trade restrictions, the result is lower investment, fewer jobs for American workers and unstable supply of feedstock for U.S. manufacturing.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026

Despite extreme heat, unstable conditions, and long-lasting droughts, Lystrosaurus not only endured but flourished.

From Science Daily • Apr. 14, 2026

Maybe she’s concerned that he could become financially unstable and a burden to her if he gives away too much.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

"Rivers that are normally completely frozen have overflowed where they hadn't historically," he told the BBC, causing layered, unstable ice sheets that are hazardous to travel over in winter months.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Little kids in particular were too inherently unstable.

From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Related Words

• ambiguous
• changeable
• erratic
• fickle
• insecure
• irrational
• precarious
• risky
• rocky
• sensitive
• shaky
• slippery
• ticklish
• tricky
• uncertain
• unpredictable
• unsettled
• unsteady
• volatile
• weak