1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
a year of unsteady economic growth
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
in the days of sailing ships, mariners were constantly at the mercy of unsteady winds
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3
as in unstable
not being in or able to maintain a state of balance
cautiously climbed up the unsteady ladder
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4
as in uneven
not staying constant
unsteady business conditions that rattled investors
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsteady
Ross was unsteady on his feet with his pants down around his thighs, turning and walking away from the officers’ position, according to the affidavit.
—
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Jan. 2025
At its heart, USA Hockey’s mission is to develop gold medal winners, a process that starts when boys and girls are taking their first unsteady strides on ice.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 Jan. 2025
Her absence, combined with an unsteady early performance and the unprecedented attack from her fire chief, have only intensified her vulnerabilities.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
Retailers have been forced to work harder to win customer dollars, and demand has been unsteady as consumers think twice before buying things that may be wants rather than needs.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unsteady 
Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Jan. 2025
At its heart, USA Hockey’s mission is to develop gold medal winners, a process that starts when boys and girls are taking their first unsteady strides on ice.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 Jan. 2025
Her absence, combined with an unsteady early performance and the unprecedented attack from her fire chief, have only intensified her vulnerabilities.
—Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2025
Retailers have been forced to work harder to win customer dollars, and demand has been unsteady as consumers think twice before buying things that may be wants rather than needs.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 19 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unsteady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsteady
Adjective
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Broader and border disputes Not only have different interest groups and political actors used maps of the region to put forth competing geopolitical claims, but maps have also played a central role in sporadic efforts to establish peace in the region.—
Christine Leuenberger,
The Conversation,
7 Feb. 2025
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FRBs are sporadic, intense flashes of radio wave energy that can be brighter than entire galaxies.—
John Loeffler,
Space.com,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Dado Ruvic | Reuters Inflation worries, tariffs under the Trump administration and earnings season could continue to keep the stock market volatile and rattle investor sentiment.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
16 Feb. 2025
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With Earth's weather being altered in dangerous ways, the U.S. government turns to Cody to uncover the truth behind these volatile natural disasters.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Is High in Antioxidants Orange juice is rich in healthy nutrients called antioxidants, compounds that help prevent cell damage from unstable molecules called free radical damage in a process known as oxidative stress.—
Aviv Joshua, MS,
Verywell Health,
11 Feb. 2025
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She had been placed in a four-cell unit with mentally unstable inmates.—
Lawrence Wright,
The New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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From an uneven college career to constantly being doubted in the league, Hurts has had to silence haters with his wins and believe in himself when others didn’t.—
Kathleen Newman-Bremang,
refinery29.com,
10 Feb. 2025
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And the uneven division of the Keith and Vera plotlines makes Köln 75 a movie without a narrative center.—
David Rooney,
The Hollywood Reporter,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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In an effort to onboard users, Tubi was running a free livestream for the championship game, —which ended in a victory for the Eagles—but things didn’t exactly go swimmingly, with multiple users reporting intermittent buffering issues and freezes.—
Dimitar 'Mix' Mihov,
Forbes,
10 Feb. 2025
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However, intermittent fasting comes with major potential health risks for people with conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, and cancer.—
Laura Dorwart,
Verywell Health,
7 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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With its surprising best picture win at the Critics Choice Awards — its only prize of the night — the $6 million dramedy, which claimed the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, has solidified itself as a major contender in an unpredictable awards season.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2025
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But here’s what the L.A. fires have taught us: No plan survives its first encounter with an unpredictable reality.—
Josh Klein,
New York Daily News,
9 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Staff and volunteers who have a bond with Linus have experienced some head butts of affection and occasional cuddles after a long play session.—
Helen I. Bennett,
Hartford Courant,
15 Feb. 2025
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Amy regularly visits, taking her grandpa out for lunch or the occasional beer.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
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Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
Thesaurus Entries Near unsteady
Cite this Entry
“Unsteady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsteady. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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