stable 1 of 3

1
as in sturdy
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion the observation tower is stable enough to withstand the strongest winds without collapsing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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stable

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noun

stable

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stable are durable, lasting, and permanent. While all these words mean "enduring for so long as to seem fixed or established," stable implies lastingness because of resistance to being overturned or displaced.

a stable government

When might durable be a better fit than stable?

The synonyms durable and stable are sometimes interchangeable, but durable implies power to resist destructive agencies.

durable fabrics

When is it sensible to use lasting instead of stable?

The words lasting and stable can be used in similar contexts, but lasting implies a capacity to continue indefinitely.

a book that left a lasting impression on me

When would permanent be a good substitute for stable?

While the synonyms permanent and stable are close in meaning, permanent adds usually the implication of being designed or planned to stand or continue indefinitely.

permanent living arrangements

Examples of stable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
The modern Ukrainian versions come equipped with ventilators, life support machines, ultrasound scanners and portable air conditioners that help maintain stable temperatures even on the hottest days. Alex Platt, CNN, 12 Sep. 2024 Plus, its aerodynamically stable design negates the need for a tail wing. New Atlas, 12 Sep. 2024
Noun
Founded in 1950, Annabelle Candy’s product stable features several high-profile candy bars: Rocky Road, Abba-Zaba, Big Hunk, Look and U-No. George Avalos, The Mercury News, 1 Aug. 2024 Pete Buttigieg The sitting transportation secretary is widely considered one of the smartest and best communicators in the Democratic stable of national leaders. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 22 July 2024
Verb
While the new structure looks nothing like a home for livestock, the Polk stables' architectural presence permeates the building, which is COhatch's sixth location in central Indiana. Domenica Bongiovanni, The Indianapolis Star, 6 June 2024 Out from the darkness of the Wayne County Sheriff's Office stables in Livonia step Hogan and Ace into the sunlight. Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 26 Apr. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stable 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Thesaurus Entries Near stable

Cite this Entry

“Stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stable. Accessed 20 Sep. 2024.

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