1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
a year of unsteady economic growth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unstable
not being in or able to maintain a state of balance
cautiously climbed up the unsteady ladder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uneven
not staying constant
unsteady business conditions that rattled investors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of unsteady
Not only did the competition not see the future of payments through the unsteady rise of PayPal, neither did the talented within Silicon Valley.
—
John Tamny, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
After a slightly unsteady start, the 60-year-old governor found his grove for a spell once Vance’s fake story about the legal Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio allegedly eating pets was brought up.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2024
As Mayer's car pushed into Retzlaff's from behind, the unsteady contact propelled Retzlaff into the outside wall, with Josh Williams striking Mayer from behind and subsequently being hit by Chandler Smith.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
What this general move toward more daring design says about the end of 2024 is that this continues to be an unsteady year for watches, both financially and aesthetically.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unsteady 
John Tamny, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
After a slightly unsteady start, the 60-year-old governor found his grove for a spell once Vance’s fake story about the legal Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio allegedly eating pets was brought up.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 1 Oct. 2024
As Mayer's car pushed into Retzlaff's from behind, the unsteady contact propelled Retzlaff into the outside wall, with Josh Williams striking Mayer from behind and subsequently being hit by Chandler Smith.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Nov. 2024
What this general move toward more daring design says about the end of 2024 is that this continues to be an unsteady year for watches, both financially and aesthetically.
—Cait Bazemore, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unsteady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsteady
Adjective
-
Consumers in Mexico are using their cell phones to purchase everyday items such as groceries but also to make sporadic purchases on clothing, books, and other items.Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
-
The brand had toyed with apparel since the ‘80s with small and sporadic capsule collections but the new apparel designs, hinging on Americana and the preppy look, seem to be accruing fans, too.Martino Carrera, WWD, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite his volatile nature, Sanders has been linked to NFL teams after beginning his coaching career with Jackson State back in 2020.Vincent Frank, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
-
Other volatile organic compounds are also known to contaminate tap water after fires.Pien Huang, NPR, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
An underground glow In fungi, the key step towards bioluminescence occurs when the enzyme luciferase converts light-emitting compound called luciferin into an unstable product.Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 9 Jan. 2025
-
To address such an unstable yet technical landscape, businesses ‘curate’ teams of experts and ask them to work together.London Business School, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
But the junior point guard has had an uneven transition.Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 11 Jan. 2025
-
Since this type of coating has an uneven texture, the bath mat may wear out faster than other options.Moriah Mason, Southern Living, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Situated only a hefty clearance from the Manchester Ship Canal, the ground, complete with a two-storey clubhouse, 250-seat stand and even a commentators’ box, has since had intermittent use from various Sunday League sides and most recently an under-18s team managed by YouTuber ‘Angry Ginge’.Richard Sutcliffe, The Athletic, 17 Jan. 2025
-
Such moments of creative exhilaration were intermittent adornments of a diffuse slog.Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Laws and norms govern their actions to a degree but the human element is unpredictable.Richard Bishop, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
-
On top of this, issues related to money and possessions are unpredictable.Georgia Nicols, The Denver Post, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The tunes go for three-minute punch, with occasional back-up vocals from Kapranos’ wife, French star Clara Luciani.Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 11 Jan. 2025
-
Some winters bring consistent snow and frosty days, perfect for outdoor activities, while others see milder conditions with occasional rain or bare ground.David Nikel, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share