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

2 of 3

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 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 stable
Adjective
But Syria’s then leader, who had succeeded his father Hafez seven years before, represented a stable contrast to the chaos engulfing neighboring Iraq. Ivan Watson, CNN, 12 Dec. 2024 No police officers were injured, and the man shot by police was reported to be in stable condition at a local hospital. Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
Because of this, the DC stable of characters is a more immediately elastic one — and the best shows here run with that, creating their own version of DC superheroes that wink at the canon, and fans who know it. Joshua Rivera, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024 Before the storm hit, four volunteers from the equestrian team made beds in the main stable’s offices and breakroom to ensure the horses had enough food and water to make it through Helene. Ryley Ober, USA TODAY, 8 Nov. 2024
Verb
If the road is closed, hikers must park at the horse stables and walk a half-mile to the trailhead. Katie Linsky Shaw, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2024 In conjunction with that transfer, Maryland Jockey Club acting president Mike Rogers informed the state’s horsemen that the dilapidated facility will close in September, meaning trainers, backstretch workers and horses stabled at Pimlico will need to move to Laurel Park over the next two months. Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 3 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for stable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stable
Adjective
  • This sturdy ice scraper has a padded, ergonomic handle that makes for an easy grip with or without gloves.
    Camryn Rabideau, People.com, 13 Dec. 2024
  • Huawei says the main foldable display is built on top of a carbon fiber glass plate which helps reinforce the screen, and the hinge connecting the moving parts feel sturdy and reassuring.
    Ben Sin, Forbes, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • According to witnesses, a cluster of what appeared to be drones, as well as a possible fixed wing aircraft, was flying in the area, the FBI said.
    Saleen Martin, USA TODAY, 4 Dec. 2024
  • The regulations that came into effect at the end of June placed a limit on stablecoin volumes permitted over a fixed period.
    Sean Lee, Forbes, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy: Caused by gene mutations, this is a rare condition that develops when fatty or scarred tissue replaces normal tissue in part of the heart, leading to irregular heartbeat.
    Elizabeth Millard, TIME, 18 Dec. 2024
  • Thousands of dockworkers from Maine to Texas launched a strike in October over wages and the use of automation, shutting down seaports along the East Coast and disrupting normal trade.
    Caroline Petrow-Cohen, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • During one of her daily New York City walks, a constant source of style inspiration, Holmes protected herself from the cold while adding a formal touch to a very casual, everyday look.
    Arancha Gamo, Glamour, 15 Dec. 2024
  • Every employee has an open invitation to shape the future of the product roadmap, creating a culture of constant feedback where everyone is committed to each other's professional growth.
    Keith Ferrazzi, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • Try outsider, big personality hosts like Elie Mystal and Pablo Torre.
    Keith Olbermann, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024
  • Its most infamous crime was the 1984 murder of Alan Berg, an outspoken, liberal, Jewish radio host in Denver.
    Zach Baylin, Los Angeles Times, 17 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • At the same time, homing spikes shoot out from Hazard’s back toward nearby enemies.
    Kris Holt, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Their Hickory Hill estate in McLean, Va. was a rotating roster of secretaries of state, film stars and celebrities along with snakes, ponies, horses, hamsters, homing pigeons, ducks, geese, cockatoos and a huge turtle.
    Rosemary Feitelberg, WWD, 10 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • According to research from Everytown for Gun Safety, a nonprofit that advocates for gun control, strong gun control laws are correlated with fewer gun deaths.
    Elliot Hughes, Journal Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2023
  • This results in a charge imbalance that builds up an electric field strong enough to trigger flashes of lightning.
    National Geographic, National Geographic, 13 Jan. 2023
Adjective
  • This intense adventure would be certain death if Mufasa somehow didn’t come upon a friendly lioness, Eshe (Thandiwe Newton), the matriarch of a royal pride overseen by her husband Obasi (Lennie James) who wants nothing to do with this cub, or any interloper into their tribe.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
  • The vehicles will be geofenced to certain neighborhoods in Tokyo, including Minato, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō.
    Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 17 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near stable

Cite this Entry

“Stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stable. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

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