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

3 of 3

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

Example 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
The gunshot victim, a man in his 20s, was listed in stable condition, Boisvert said. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2025 Mitch McConnell Breaks with Trump by Blasting Global Tariff Plan: 'Trade Wars Hurt Working People Most' While stocks are volatile, experts advise relying on stable cash investments, which will be able to mitigate the years after retirement when people may need to dip into savings. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Noun
Elliott often watches companies for many years before investing and have an extensive stable of impressive board candidates. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 1 Mar. 2025 The expansive booth highlighted the three pillars of the EssilorLuxottica business: wearables, their stable of brands and medical technology. Thomas Waller, WWD, 27 Feb. 2025
Verb
The horse stables on the property were also reduced to a smoldering pile, though staff were fortunately able to evacuate all of the animals in advance. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2025 Their turn-of-the century stables at Fort Myer are also being renovated. Tom Vanden Brook, USA TODAY, 6 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stable
Adjective
  • It’s built from a sturdy metal base with a solid wood and plywood frame and has a swivel design that rotates 360 degrees.
    Megan Schaltegger, People.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Linus Ullmark’s sturdy play in net is a major plus.
    Shayna Goldman, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Investors accept that smaller fixed payment because a portion of the bond proceeds is allocated to bitcoin, which may rise in purchasing power over the term.
    Dave Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Though fugitive and fragmentary, the events in the Gospels take place on a fixed historical time line.
    Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Across Los Angeles and Ventura counties, temperatures are expected to be five to 12 degrees below normal, Lund said.
    Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2025
  • The facilities have to make sure the calorie intake of the people who are fasting remains the same, so the first meal would be a normal breakfast while sunset would require a double tray of dinner.
    Shanzeh Ahmad, Chicago Tribune, 30 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Though the second portal window officially opens next week, Cristobal minced no words about the constant availability of players.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2025
  • Staying in line with profit and sustainability rules (PSR) will remain a constant challenge and is determined by Villa’s appeal on the pitch.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Tan was most recently president of Loewe Asia, and has worked for a host of European luxury brands out of Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 11 Apr. 2025
  • In addition to Thug and (possibly) Frank Ocean, a host of prominent acts have created alternate accounts recently.
    Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • L’Oréal is homing on in people aged 60-plus, who today comprise 21 percent of the world’s population, but 28 percent of beauty demand.
    Jennifer Weil, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025
  • Foster families are needed to aid in homing the pets until adoption, officials said.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Jan. 2025
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
  • However, TVLine may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
    Claire Franken, TVLine, 10 Apr. 2025
  • The report recommends a hard perimeter setup that would only allow emergency vehicles, deliveries and hotel drop-offs at certain times.
    Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 10 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stable. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.

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