as in erratic
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
I wouldn't count on him to show up for the play—he's pretty unreliable. She drives her car locally, but worries it's too unreliable for longer trips.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of unreliable
And industrialized countries were slow to deliver on their original commitment, so poorer nations are relying on unreliable neighbors.
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Lauren Sommer, NPR, 23 Nov. 2024
Now, after decades of slow and unreliable service, nearly every house in town is connected to a state-of-the-art fiber-optic network.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Nov. 2024
Such a prognosis is almost by definition unreliable; studies show that doctors get such predictions wrong more than half the time.
—The Editors, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately, the techniques and technologies needed to anonymize large datasets are not well-developed, are unreliable, and require trade-offs that ultimately limit the utility of the data.
—Ulrich Boser, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unreliable 
Lauren Sommer, NPR, 23 Nov. 2024
Now, after decades of slow and unreliable service, nearly every house in town is connected to a state-of-the-art fiber-optic network.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Nov. 2024
Such a prognosis is almost by definition unreliable; studies show that doctors get such predictions wrong more than half the time.
—The Editors, National Review, 27 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately, the techniques and technologies needed to anonymize large datasets are not well-developed, are unreliable, and require trade-offs that ultimately limit the utility of the data.
—Ulrich Boser, Forbes, 25 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unreliable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreliable
Adjective
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Ana Navarro and Whoopi Goldberg clashed on The View over their opposing perspectives about how to take on Donald Trump‘s erratic policies ahead of his inauguration in January amid the holidays.Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024
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Whitfield was acting erratic and running naked around his parents' home when officers arrived.Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Prediction: Oregon 38, Penn State 28 ACC Championship Game: No. 17 Clemson vs No. 8 SMU After a shaky start to the year, the Tigers have battled back.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
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However, when doubts creep in at the first signs of struggle or conflict, their commitment falters due to a shaky emotional foundation.Mark Travers, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The Premier League this season is inconsistent, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.Nick Miller, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
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True, Anthony Richardson is wildly inconsistent but he’s got the big arm to burn the Broncos deep as Jameis Winston did before Denver’s bye.Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Food, water and other resources would have to be shipped from home, at distances that make the supply frighteningly undependable.Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2024
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With fueling so expensive and stations so undependable, Kiskis — who lives in Pacific Palisades and works at Google in Playa Vista — drives a gasoline Jeep for everything but short trips around the neighborhood.Russ Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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Misaligned nonverbal communication can dilute or derail even the most compelling verbal message, and almost always results in a leader being perceived as inauthentic, untrustworthy, confusing, or ineffective.Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.D., Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024
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But the merriment may not last long, because a Secret Santa gift exchange is about to reveal some untrustworthy players in Molly’s inner circle.Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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However, logistical challenges, such as unpredictable weather, play a role in these considerations.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
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Lofoten mountain biking trails Though known for unpredictable weather year-round, the islands are driest May through August and get drenched in October.Alexandra Gillespie, Outside Online, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Egg prices, which have been volatile for more than two years, in part because of outbreaks of bird flu, soared 8.2% just last month.COMPILED BYDEMOCRAT-GAZETTE STAFFFROM WIRE REPORTS, arkansasonline.com, 12 Dec. 2024
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Still, food price growth is notoriously volatile and many factors that determine costs are often outside the government's control.Rob Wile, NBC News, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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According to Gregory, fluctuating temperatures in the area has caused all ice surfaces to be unstable.Dawn Sawyer, CNN, 10 Dec. 2024
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Advertisement By any measure, the immediate future of Syria will be an unstable and potentially violent melange of competing groups, intense jockeying for power and settling of scores.Tracy Wilkinson, Los Angeles Times, 8 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near unreliable
Cite this Entry
“Unreliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreliable. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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