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
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, if interest rates remain high and economic growth slows, builders may be forced to offer deeper price cuts, potentially leading to further market instability.
—
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Add on top of that economic uncertainty regarding our trade policies and the ongoing instability in the Middle East, a region that has crucial shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal along with being a crucial oil producer for global consumption.
—Thomas Kennedy, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
This book and American War explore very similar themes—global instability, the cruelty and corruption of the West, dehumanization, war, massacres—but in different genres.
—Hazlitt, 27 Feb. 2025
The cryptocurrency market struggled in 2022 due to economic instability, regulatory scrutiny, and major industry setbacks—including the collapse of FTX and the failure of TerraUSD.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instability
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
David Faris, Newsweek, 27 Feb. 2025
Add on top of that economic uncertainty regarding our trade policies and the ongoing instability in the Middle East, a region that has crucial shipping lanes like the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal along with being a crucial oil producer for global consumption.
—Thomas Kennedy, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Feb. 2025
This book and American War explore very similar themes—global instability, the cruelty and corruption of the West, dehumanization, war, massacres—but in different genres.
—Hazlitt, 27 Feb. 2025
The cryptocurrency market struggled in 2022 due to economic instability, regulatory scrutiny, and major industry setbacks—including the collapse of FTX and the failure of TerraUSD.
—Trefis Team, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for instability
Cite this Entry
“Instability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/instability. Accessed 4 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share