destabilize

verb

de·​sta·​bi·​lize (ˌ)dē-ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce destabilize (audio)
destabilized; destabilizing; destabilizes

transitive verb

1
: to make unstable
2
: to cause (something, such as a government) to be incapable of functioning or surviving

Examples of destabilize in a Sentence

The group hoped the assassination of the new President would destabilize the government. Economists warn that the crisis could destabilize the nation's currency.
Recent Examples on the Web
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Fast forward to 2024 and that vision has stalled amid pushback from Metro Council members arguing that allowing builders to increase housing density could destabilize communities while conveniently lining their pockets, according to Davis's reporting. Sandy Mazza, The Tennessean, 4 Jan. 2025 The Gulf nations have long feared that the empowerment of Islamist groups in the Middle East could destabilize their own autocratic governments. Ismaeel Naar, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2025 Giving them physical form, Byers doubles down on Rabelais’ rhetorical position but also destabilizes it by materializing the books’ nonexistence. Jonathon Keats, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024 On March 6, 1970, when none of them were home, a bomb went off next door, killing three of the members of the Weathermen who had helped make it, destroying the house above, and destabilizing many lives. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for destabilize 

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of destabilize was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near destabilize

Cite this Entry

“Destabilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/destabilize. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.

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