destabilize
gb/dɪstˈeɪbəlˌaɪz/ us/dɪstˈeɪbəlˌaɪz/
C1
English
destabilizál, megingat, elbizonytalanít, instabillá tesz
VERB
C1
FORMAL
1
destabilizál
C1
megingat
B2
Usage pattern:
[something] destabilizes [a country/government/economy/system]
The scandal threatened to destabilize the government before the election.
A botrány azzal fenyegetett, hogy a választások előtt destabilizálja a kormányt.
A sudden rise in oil prices could destabilize the global economy.
Az olajárak hirtelen emelkedése destabilizálhatja a világgazdaságot.
Foreign interference was blamed for attempts to destabilize the region.
Learner examples
The crisis destabilized the country.
A válság destabilizálta az országot.
Bad news can destabilize markets.
A rossz hírek destabilizálhatják a piacokat.
Common mistake:
Do not use it to mean simply “destroy”; something can be destabilized and still continue to exist.
Meaning
Make a system unstable
Collocations
destabilize a country
|destabilize a region
|destabilize the government
|destabilize the economy
|destabilize markets
|destabilize a system
|destabilize a coalition
|politically destabilize
|a destabilizing effect
|a destabilizing influence
Synonyms
undermine (suggests weakening support or authority, often gradually or indirectly)
|
disrupt (emphasizes interrupting normal operation more than long-term instability)
|
weaken (more general; does not always imply instability)
Antonyms
stabilize (make something steady, secure, or less likely to change dangerously)
|
strengthen (make something more powerful or secure)
Themes
politics
|economics
|society
|conflict
|business
Definition
To make a system or situation less steady, safe, or likely to continue normally.
To make a country, government, economy, organization, market, or other system less stable, secure, or able to function normally.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
2
megingat
B2
Usage pattern:
[event/situation] destabilizes [someone/someone's life/a group]
The sudden breakup destabilized him for months.
A hirtelen szakítás hónapokra lelkileg is megingatta.
Frequent moves can destabilize children and make school harder for them.
A gyakori költözések elbizonytalaníthatják a gyerekeket, és megnehezíthetik számukra az iskolát.
The manager's unexpected resignation destabilized the whole team.
Learner examples
The bad news destabilized her.
A rossz hír elbizonytalanította.
The change destabilized the team.
A változás elbizonytalanította a csapatot.
Common mistake:
In everyday conversation, “unsettle” or “upset” is often more natural than “destabilize.”
Meaning
Unsettle someone emotionally
Collocations
emotionally destabilize
|psychologically destabilize
|destabilize someone
|destabilize a family
|destabilize a child
|destabilize a team
|destabilize someone's life
|destabilize a routine
Synonyms
unsettle (more common and less formal for emotional or mental disturbance)
|
upset (simpler and broader; often refers to sadness or worry)
|
throw off balance (informal phrase for making someone feel unable to cope)
Antonyms
stabilize (help someone become steadier or more secure)
|
reassure (reduce fear or uncertainty emotionally)
Themes
psychology
|emotions
|relationships
|work
Definition
To make someone feel upset, insecure, or unable to deal with life normally.
To make a person or group feel emotionally or psychologically unsettled, insecure, or unable to function normally.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
3
destabilizál
C1
Usage pattern:
[factor/action] destabilizes [a structure/substance/protein/process]
Removing the support beam could destabilize the wall.
A tartógerenda eltávolítása destabilizálhatja a falat.
The mutation appears to destabilize the protein.
Úgy tűnik, a mutáció destabilizálja a fehérjét.
Warming oceans may destabilize ice shelves and speed up sea-level rise.
Learner examples
The work could destabilize the old wall.
A munka destabilizálhatja a régi falat.
Heat can destabilize some chemicals.
A hő egyes vegyi anyagokat instabillá tehet.
Common mistake:
For ordinary objects, “make unstable” or “weaken” may sound more natural than “destabilize.”
Meaning
Reduce physical or scientific stability
Collocations
destabilize a structure
|destabilize a wall
|destabilize a slope
|destabilize a molecule
|destabilize a protein
|destabilize a compound
|destabilize an ecosystem
|destabilize the climate
|destabilize ice shelves
|a destabilizing mutation
Synonyms
weaken (more general; often means reduce strength rather than equilibrium)
|
disrupt (emphasizes interference with a process or system)
|
unbalance (emphasizes loss of balance or equilibrium)
Antonyms
stabilize (make physically, chemically, or biologically steadier)
|
reinforce (strengthen a structure so it is less likely to fail)
Themes
science
|engineering
|medicine
|environment
Definition
To make something physical or scientific less stable and more likely to change, fail, or break down.
To cause a structure, substance, biological molecule, natural system, or physical process to lose stability or equilibrium.
Grammar
Dictionary form
destabilize
IPA
GB/dɪstˈeɪbəlˌaɪz/
US/dɪstˈeɪbəlˌaɪz/
Syllables & stress
destabil - ize (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ize)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: destabilize
- 3rd Person Singular: destabilizes
- Present Participle: destabilizing
- Past: destabilized
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.