stabilize
gb/stˈeɪbəlˌaɪz/ us/stˈeɪbəlˌaɪz/
B2
Inglés
~ 5900
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
B2
action
1
Make a situation steady
To make something that is changing or getting worse become steady and not change so much.
Patrón de uso:
to stabilize [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes say *"make stable"* instead of *"stabilize"*. While grammatically possible, native speakers usually prefer *stabilize* for systems, prices, and situations (e.g., *"stabilize the economy"*, not *"make the economy stable"* in most contexts). Another mistake is using *stabilize* for small, everyday physical actions like holding a cup; in those cases, verbs like *hold*, *steady*, or *keep still* are more natural.
Sinónimos
steady (Often used in a similar way, but slightly more general and also very common as an adjective.)
|
stabilise (Same meaning; this is the standard British spelling.)
|
normalize (Suggests returning something to a normal state, not just stopping change.)
Antónimos
destabilize (Means to make something less steady or more likely to change or fail.)
|
aggravate (In contexts like problems or crises, it means to make them worse instead of steady or controlled.)
Colocaciones
stabilize the economy
|stabilize prices
|stabilize the situation
|stabilize the market
|stabilize relations
|stabilize inflation
Temas
business
|politics
|science
|daily life
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The central bank raised interest rates to stabilize the currency.
- New regulations were introduced to stabilize the housing market.
- International aid helped stabilize the political situation after the conflict.
- Her mood finally stabilized once her work schedule became more predictable.
- After several weeks of sharp increases, food prices have started to stabilize.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The government is trying to stabilize the economy.
- We need clear rules to stabilize the situation at work.
- Oil prices did not stabilize until the end of the year.
- New laws helped stabilize relations between the two countries.
- Her life stabilized after she found a steady job.
Verbo
B2
action
2
Make something physically steady
To make something stand or stay in one place so it does not move or fall.
Patrón de uso:
to stabilize [a physical object]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use *fix* or *repair* when they only mean *stop from moving*. For example, *"fix the ladder"* usually means *repair the ladder*, not *hold the ladder so it does not move*. Use *stabilize*, *steady*, or *hold* when the main idea is to prevent movement or falling.
Sinónimos
steady (Very close in meaning in physical contexts, but more common in everyday speech for simple actions like holding something still.)
|
secure (Focuses more on fastening or tying something so it cannot move or be taken away.)
|
brace (Suggests supporting something strongly to prevent it from moving under force.)
Antónimos
unbalance (Means to make something likely to tip or fall instead of remaining steady.)
|
loosen (Removing tightness or support can prevent something from being stabilized.)
Colocaciones
stabilize the camera
|stabilize the ladder
|stabilize the structure
|stabilize the table
|stabilize the aircraft
|stabilize the load
Temas
daily life
|technology
|science
|daily_life
|work
Ejemplos
- He used a tripod to stabilize the camera during the long exposure.
- Workers added extra beams to stabilize the bridge after the earthquake.
- Please hold the ladder to stabilize it while I climb up.
- Engineers are working to stabilize the damaged building before anyone goes inside.
- The pilot had to stabilize the aircraft after the sudden turbulence.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I put books under the leg of the table to stabilize it.
- She held my arm to stabilize me on the ice.
- They used ropes to stabilize the small boat.
- We need to stabilize the shelf before we put heavy boxes on it.
- A stand helps stabilize the microphone.
Verbo
technical
B2
action
3
Make a patient’s condition safe
In medical situations, to make a sick or injured person’s condition stop getting worse and become safe for a time.
Patrón de uso:
to stabilize [a patient / condition]
Error frecuente:
Learners may think *stabilize* here means *cure*, but in medical English it usually means only that the person is no longer getting worse or in immediate danger. The patient can be stabilized but still very ill.
Sinónimos
stabilise (Same meaning in medical English; this is the British spelling.)
|
stabilize clinically (Used in medical writing to stress that the patient is safe and not deteriorating.)
Antónimos
deteriorate (Describes a patient’s condition becoming worse instead of becoming stable.)
|
crash (Informal medical slang for when a patient’s condition suddenly becomes very serious or critical.)
Colocaciones
stabilize the patient
|stabilize her condition
|stabilize vital signs
|stabilize the victim
|stabilize his breathing
Temas
health
|science
|emergency
Ejemplos
- Paramedics managed to stabilize the patient before transporting her to the hospital.
- Doctors worked through the night to stabilize his condition after the surgery.
- Once her vital signs stabilized, she was moved out of the intensive care unit.
- The hospital said that all three accident victims had been stabilized.
- Medication was given to stabilize his heart rhythm.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The doctors are trying to stabilize the patient.
- His condition stabilized after they gave him medicine.
- Paramedics stabilized her at the scene of the accident.
- After two hours, the baby’s breathing stabilized.
- The nurse said that his condition is now stable and they will try to keep it stabilized.
Verbo
technical
C1
action
4
Make a substance less reactive
To change a chemical or material so it does not react or break down easily.
Patrón de uso:
to stabilize [a substance / material]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse this technical sense with the general idea of *keeping something the same*. In scientific writing, *stabilize* usually refers to specific chemical or physical processes, not just any kind of control.
Sinónimos
preserve (Emphasizes keeping something from changing or going bad, not specifically chemical reactions.)
|
fix (In technical contexts, can mean to make a substance or property stable and unchanging, such as *fixing* a dye or gas.)
Antónimos
destabilize (In chemistry or materials science, means to make a substance more likely to react or break down.)
|
degrade (Describes the breaking down or loss of quality that stabilization is meant to prevent.)
Colocaciones
stabilize the compound
|stabilize the mixture
|chemically stabilize
|stabilize the formulation
|stabilize the solution
|stabilize the vaccine
Temas
science
|technology
|chemistry
Ejemplos
- Antioxidants are added to the product to stabilize the oil and prevent it from going rancid.
- The new process helps stabilize the compound at high temperatures.
- Researchers are working to stabilize the vaccine so it can be stored without refrigeration.
- A special coating is used to stabilize the metal surface against corrosion.
- The solution must be stabilized before it is transported.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- They add chemicals to stabilize the color of the food.
- This drug is difficult to stabilize at room temperature.
- Scientists are trying to stabilize the material so it lasts longer.
- The company uses a new method to stabilize the liquid.
- A small amount of salt can help stabilize the mixture.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
stabilize
AFI
GB/stˈeɪbəlˌaɪz/
US/stˈeɪbəlˌaɪz/
Sílabas y acento
sta - bil - ize (3 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (sta)
Formas de la palabra
Verb
- Base: stabilize
- 3rd Person Singular: stabilizes
- Present Participle: stabilizing
- Past: stabilized
Familia de palabras
Forms
stabilizes
verb
stabilizing
verb
stabilized
verb
Related words
stabilizer
noun
stably
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
destabilization
noun
Expresiones
stabilize a patient
1/stˈeɪbəlˌaɪz ə pˈeɪʃənt/
fixed phrase
technical
Make a patient’s condition stable
To give emergency medical care so the sick or hurt person does not get worse and is safe for now.
Ejemplos
- Paramedics worked quickly to stabilize the patient before moving him.
- Once they stabilized the patient, doctors prepared her for surgery.
stabilize blood sugar
1/stˈeɪbəlˌaɪz blˈʌd ʃˈʊɡɚ/
fixed phrase
Keep blood sugar level steady
To keep the amount of sugar in the blood at a safe, steady level so it does not go too high or too low.
Ejemplos
- Eating small regular meals can help stabilize blood sugar.
- The medication is designed to stabilize blood sugar throughout the day.
stabilize prices
1/stˈeɪbəlˌaɪz pɹˈaɪsɪz/
fixed phrase
Stop prices changing quickly
To make prices become steady so they do not go up and down a lot.
Ejemplos
- The central bank raised interest rates to stabilize prices.
- Stronger supply chains could help stabilize food prices.
stabilize the economy
1/stˈeɪbəlˌaɪz ðə ɪkˈɑnəmi/
fixed phrase
Make a country’s economy steady
To take actions so that a country’s economy becomes steady and does not fall or change quickly.
Ejemplos
- The government introduced tax reforms to stabilize the economy.
- International loans were used to help stabilize the economy after the crisis.
stabilize the market
1/stˈeɪbəlˌaɪz ðə mˈɑɹkɪt/
fixed phrase
Make a financial market steady
To take actions so that a financial market stops falling or moving up and down very fast.
Ejemplos
- The stock exchange suspended trading to stabilize the market.
- Investors are hoping the new policy will stabilize the market.