un·sta·ble ( n-st  b l)adj. un·sta·bler, un·sta·blest 1. a. Tending strongly to change: unstable weather. b. Not constant; fluctuating: unstable vital signs. 2. a. Fickle. b. Lacking control of one's emotions; marked by unpredictable behavior. 3. Not firmly placed; unsteady: an unstable ladder. 4. Chemistry a. Decomposing readily. b. Highly or violently reactive. 5. Physics a. Decaying with relatively short lifetime. Used of subatomic particles. b. Radioactive. un·sta ble·ness n.un·sta bly adv. |
unstable [ʌnˈsteɪbəl]
adj
1. lacking stability, fixity, or firmness
2. disposed to temperamental, emotional, or psychological variability
3. (Chemistry) (of a chemical compound) readily decomposing
4. (Physics / Atomic Physics) Physics
a. (of an elementary particle) having a very short lifetime
b. spontaneously decomposing by nuclear decay; radioactive an unstable nuclide
5. (Electronics) Electronics (of an electrical circuit, mechanical body, etc.) having a tendency to self-oscillation
unstableness n
unstably adv
| unstable (n-stbl) 1. Liable to undergo spontaneous decay into some other form. For example, the nucleus of uranium 238 atom is unstable and changes by radioactive decay into the nucleus of thorium 234, a lighter element. Many subatomic particles, such as muons and neutrons, are unstable and decay quickly into other particles. See more at decay. 2. Relating to a chemical compound that readily decomposes or changes into other compounds or into elements. 3. Relating to an atom or chemical element that is likely to share electrons; reactive. 4. Characterized by uncertain or inadequate response to treatment and the potential for unfavorable outcome, as the status of a medical condition or disease. |
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
| Adj. | 1. |  unstable - lacking stability or fixity or firmness; "unstable political conditions"; "the tower proved to be unstable in the high wind"; "an unstable world economy"inconstant - likely to change frequently often without apparent or cogent reason; variable; "inconstant affections"; "an inconstant lover"; "swear not by...the inconstant moon"- Shakespeare impermanent, temporary - not permanent; not lasting; "politics is an impermanent factor of life"- James Thurber; "impermanent palm cottages"; "a temperary arrangement"; "temporary housing" unsteady - subject to change or variation; "her unsteady walk"; "his hand was unsteady as he poured the wine"; "an unsteady voice" stable - resistant to change of position or condition; "a stable ladder"; "a stable peace"; "a stable relationship"; "stable prices" |
| 2. |  unstable - highly or violently reactive; "sensitive and highly unstable compounds"reactive - participating readily in reactions; "sodium is a reactive metal"; "free radicals are very reactive" | |
| 3. | unstable - affording no ease or reassurance; "a precarious truce" uneasy - lacking a sense of security or affording no ease or reassurance; "farmers were uneasy until rain finally came"; "uneasy about his health"; "gave an uneasy laugh"; "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown"; "an uneasy coalition government"; "an uneasy calm"; "an uneasy silence fell on the group" | |
| 4. |  unstable - suffering from severe mental illness; "of unsound mind"insane - afflicted with or characteristic of mental derangement; "was declared insane"; "insane laughter" | |
| 5. | unstable - disposed to psychological variability; "his rather unstable religious convictions" irresolute - uncertain how to act or proceed; "the committee was timid and mediocre and irresolute" | |
| 6. | unstable - subject to change; variable; "a fluid situation fraught with uncertainty"; "everything was unstable following the coup" changeful, changeable - such that alteration is possible; having a marked tendency to change; "changeable behavior"; "changeable moods"; "changeable prices" |
unstable
adjective
1. changeable, volatile, unpredictable, variable, fluctuating, unsteady, fitful, inconstant The situation is unstable and potentially dangerous.
changeable stable, steady, predictable, constant
changeable stable, steady, predictable, constant
2. insecure, shaky, precarious, unsettled, wobbly, tottering, rickety, unsteady, not fixed a house built on unstable foundations
3. unpredictable, irrational, erratic, inconsistent, unreliable, temperamental, capricious, changeable, untrustworthy, vacillating He was emotionally unstable.
unpredictable rational, level-headed, stable, consistent, reliable, trustworthy
unpredictable rational, level-headed, stable, consistent, reliable, trustworthy
Translations
unstable [ˈʌnˈsteɪbl] ADJ
1. (= unsafe) [building, construction] → inestable, poco firme, poco sólido
2. (= unpredictable) [condition, economy, prices] → inestable
the country is politically unstable → el país es inestable desde el punto de vista político
the country is politically unstable → el país es inestable desde el punto de vista político
4. (Psych) [person, character] → inestable
mentally/emotionally unstable → mentalmente/emocionalmente inestable
mentally/emotionally unstable → mentalmente/emocionalmente inestable
5. (Phys) [matter, molecule] → inestable
unstable [ʌnˈsteɪbəl] adj
(= likely to move or fall) [rock formation, ladder] → instable
(= volatile) [situation, government, share prices] → instable
(emotionally) [person] → instable
(CHEMISTRY, PHYSICS) [compound, particle, isotope] → instable
unstable
adj
structure → nicht or wenig stabil; foundations also, area → unsicher; vehicle, government, country → instabil; weather → unbeständig; economy → unsicher, schwankend; prices → schwankend; (Chem, Phys) → instabil; the patient is in an unstable condition → der Zustand des Patienten ist labil or nicht stabil
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