instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
: the quality or state of being unstable
especially
: lack of emotional or mental stability
Synonyms
Examples of instability in a Sentence
Investors are worried about the current instability of the stock market.
The patient has a history of emotional instability.
Recent Examples on the Web
However, while that order may have brought some clarity, it is accompanied by a series of other education policy initiatives that are injecting new uncertainty into a college sports landscape already grappling with legal and financial instability.
—
Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2025
Some of the candidates whose offers weren’t rescinded, Elliott said, declined the offers in part due to the recent instability.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025
The confusion, instability and loss of trust that a sudden disruption of historic U.S. support is currently causing provide an opportunity for America’s adversaries to gain ground.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
In terms of timing, recessions may seem like a good time to buy some public companies at a discount, but the instability of those periods makes the timing not ideal, and acquisitions occurring during a recession have a higher rate of failure than on average, Lev said.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for instability 
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Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 13 Feb. 2025
Some of the candidates whose offers weren’t rescinded, Elliott said, declined the offers in part due to the recent instability.
—Jo Yurcaba, NBC News, 13 Feb. 2025
The confusion, instability and loss of trust that a sudden disruption of historic U.S. support is currently causing provide an opportunity for America’s adversaries to gain ground.
—Chicago Tribune, 12 Feb. 2025
In terms of timing, recessions may seem like a good time to buy some public companies at a discount, but the instability of those periods makes the timing not ideal, and acquisitions occurring during a recession have a higher rate of failure than on average, Lev said.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for instability
Dictionary Entries Near instability
Cite this Entry
“Instability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instability. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē
: the quality or state of being unstable
Medical Definition
instability
noun
in·sta·bil·i·ty
ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural instabilities
: the quality or state of being unstable
especially
: lack of emotional or mental stability
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