as in unpredictable
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
a boss of volatile moods is frustrating to work for
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of volatile
Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy items and is watched more closely by the Fed, increased 0.3% for the fourth straight month.
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Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Even though the Fed has been cutting its main interest rate, mortgage rates have not readily declined and have been volatile since the autumn.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
But for that, there’s a lot of information: particulates, temp, CO2, humidity, volatile compounds, outdoor air quality index, hoo-boy.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024
Set along a volatile stretch of the Colombia-Venezuela border in 2010, the engrossing eye opener revolves around gas smugglers and always feels real and raw.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for volatile 
Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024
Even though the Fed has been cutting its main interest rate, mortgage rates have not readily declined and have been volatile since the autumn.
—Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
But for that, there’s a lot of information: particulates, temp, CO2, humidity, volatile compounds, outdoor air quality index, hoo-boy.
—Simon Hill, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024
Set along a volatile stretch of the Colombia-Venezuela border in 2010, the engrossing eye opener revolves around gas smugglers and always feels real and raw.
—Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for volatile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for volatile
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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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
Adjective
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Research has proven that the variable rewards and unpredictable payouts in gambling foster addiction by triggering dopamine surges.Brian Curcio, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
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The 36-year-old sits in a session explaining the rules of each event — variable weight, monofin, bi-fin free immersion and the most treacherous, no-fins — his eyes shining, his enthusiasm tugging sweetly.Lisa Kennedy, Variety, 8 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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Gruden won a Super Bowl against his former Raiders squad in his first year in Tampa, but the rest of his tenure was wildly inconsistent.Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Workers United, which has a bargaining delegation that represents workers at 525 Starbucks stores in the United States, said the coffee giant has yet to bring a comprehensive economic package to the table, while hundreds of legal disputes over unfair labor practices remain unsettled.Juveria Tabassum, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024
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Lightning from rare coastal thunderstorms that rolled over the rugged, unsettled land would strike mountaintops, sometimes igniting a fire.Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Another installment in the Kingsman franchise, which first launched Egerton’s career with 2014’s Kingsman: The Secret Service, is uncertain.Jack Smart, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
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Can Raw Milk Give You Bird Flu? The effects of drinking raw milk tainted with bird flu are still uncertain.Katherine Hignett, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near volatile
Cite this Entry
“Volatile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/volatile. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.
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