destabilize

verb

de·​sta·​bi·​lize (ˌ)dē-ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz 

destabilized; destabilizing; destabilizes

transitive verb

1

: to make unstable

2

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

destabilization

(ˌ)dē-ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

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

Instead of taking responsibility for the inflation and policy failure that destabilized veterans’ housing situations, Biden looked for scapegoats, and his allies in Congress continue to do so. —Stacy Washington, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025

That discomfort ultimately served the role, lending Dave a raw, destabilized energy that captures a man struggling to hold his life together. —Jp Mangalindan, Time, 4 June 2025

Climate Change Hits the Arctic the Hardest As Arctic temperatures rise, Greenland’s glaciers are melting and destabilizing surrounding slopes. —Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 4 June 2025

The military accused Hamas of deliberately sabotaging aid efforts to destabilize the region further. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for destabilize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize