instability

noun

in·​sta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: the quality or state of being unstable

especially : lack of emotional or mental stability

Synonyms

• insecurity
• precariousness
• shakiness
• unstableness
• unsteadiness

Examples of instability in a Sentence

Investors are worried about the current instability of the stock market.

The patient has a history of emotional instability.

Recent Examples on the Web

Regardless of the cost from the taxes themselves, the larger issue is the environment of instability, said Golding. —Richard Nieva, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

The industry’s disruption and implementation of the tax held up by court proceedings compound challenges the hotel industry faces in an era of travel uncertainty, higher building costs and economic instability. —Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025

But after so much instability, the fantasy of escape—of belonging to myself and my own desires—has slowly lost its allure. —Tara Ellison, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2025

These incarceration rates are driven by Black trans people being disproportionately impacted by economic instability. —Abby Monteil, Them., 1 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for instability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

Kids Definition

instability

noun

in·​sta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

: the quality or state of being unstable

Medical Definition

instability

noun

in·​sta·​bil·​i·​ty ˌin(t)-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural instabilities

: the quality or state of being unstable

especially : lack of emotional or mental stability