1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
a year of unsteady economic growth
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
in the days of sailing ships, mariners were constantly at the mercy of unsteady winds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unstable
not being in or able to maintain a state of balance
cautiously climbed up the unsteady ladder
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in uneven
not staying constant
unsteady business conditions that rattled investors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 unsteady
In the middle of the party, an accordion player jigged among a group of young, unsteady revelers, rapping to the beat like an agitated auctioneer.
—
Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2025
Much of that selection shares a sense of immediacy — with the 64 films slotted for Clermont-Ferrand’s international competition speaking to an unsteady world in as close to real-time as filmmaking can get.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
Ross was unsteady on his feet with his pants down around his thighs, turning and walking away from the officers’ position, according to the affidavit.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Jan. 2025
At its heart, USA Hockey’s mission is to develop gold medal winners, a process that starts when boys and girls are taking their first unsteady strides on ice.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Matthew Bremner, Rolling Stone, 5 Jan. 2025
Much of that selection shares a sense of immediacy — with the 64 films slotted for Clermont-Ferrand’s international competition speaking to an unsteady world in as close to real-time as filmmaking can get.
—Ben Croll, Variety, 30 Jan. 2025
Ross was unsteady on his feet with his pants down around his thighs, turning and walking away from the officers’ position, according to the affidavit.
—Emerson Clarridge, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 25 Jan. 2025
At its heart, USA Hockey’s mission is to develop gold medal winners, a process that starts when boys and girls are taking their first unsteady strides on ice.
—Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 19 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsteady
Adjective
-
It’s been pretty sporadic and erratic with a bunch of them.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
27 Feb. 2025
-
In its initial phase, between 1990 and 2005, pirate attacks were sporadic and contained mostly in the Gulf of Aden.—
Soham Mitra, Lou Robinson and Patrick Gallagher,
CNN,
22 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Hence, despite its extremely high valuation, the stock appears attractive but volatile, which supports our conclusion that AVGO is a tricky stock to buy.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Wall Street ultimately found the business too volatile and debt-heavy to get fully behind the stock.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Countries like Canada, Portugal, and Australia offer alternative investor visa programs with clear, consistent rules, which would be made more attractive if the U.S. appears unpredictable or politically unstable.—
Andy J. Semotiuk,
Forbes,
27 Feb. 2025
-
Its secret to staying afloat in an unstable industry in the ever-evolving city of Raleigh is willingness to lean into change.—
Lucille Sherman,
Axios,
25 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Connecticut transit riders urged lawmakers to bolster funding and services for the state’s local commuter railroads on Wednesday, as ridership continues to experience an uneven rebound from the pandemic.—
John Moritz,
Hartford Courant,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Two different curling irons — a 1-inch and a 1.5-inch — gave the pro uneven waves for a more natural feel.—
Jackie Fields,
People.com,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Of course, Diana herself was an enthusiastic if intermittent London Fashion Week attendee from the mid-’80s onwards, using the flashbulb frenzy that followed her from Coleherne Court to Kensington Palace to illuminate the brilliance of the likes of Joe Casely-Hayford.—
Alice Newbold,
Vogue,
22 Feb. 2025
-
Berg is a licensed chiropractor as well as a health expert who specializes in the keto diet and intermittent fasting.—
Ashley J. DiMella Fox News,
Fox News,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Fires are unpredictable, dangerous, and fast-moving, and every second counts.—
Andrew Ansbro,
New York Daily News,
5 Mar. 2025
-
And then there’s the appeals process itself, which remains one of the most unpredictable spectacles in the sport.—
Greg Engle,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
When do most of us wear gowns outside of the occasional black tie wedding?—
Sarah Boyd,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Staff chat in Spanish during the occasional lull between rushes and fresh tortillas perfume the air, making the space feel like a friend’s dining room.—
Edmund Tijerina,
Bon Appétit,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
-
Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Unsteady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsteady. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share