unstable
gb/ʌnstˈeɪbəl/ us/ʌnstˈeɪbəl/
B1
Inglés
~ 7500
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B1
property
1
not firmly fixed; may fall
Not firm or safe, and may move or fall down.
Patrón de uso:
[something] is unstable / an unstable [object/structure]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes use "broken" instead of "unstable". "Broken" means something does not work at all; "unstable" means it may still work but is not safe or firm and could move or fall.
Sinónimos
unsteady (Focuses more on shaking or not being firm, but less on danger of collapse.)
|
rickety (Informal; suggests weakness from age or poor construction and a high chance of breaking.)
Antónimos
stable (Firm, steady, and not likely to move or fall.)
Colocaciones
unstable ladder
|unstable structure
|unstable surface
|unstable ground
|structurally unstable
|become unstable
Temas
safety
|objects
|construction
|daily_life
|housing
Ejemplos
- The old wooden bridge felt unstable under our feet.
- Put the baby gate back on; it’s unstable if you don’t lock it properly.
- After the earthquake, several buildings were declared structurally unstable.
- The stack of boxes is too high and looks very unstable.
- He fell because the chair was unstable and one leg suddenly gave way.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- This ladder is unstable, so please be careful.
- The table is unstable and shakes when I write.
- They closed the road because the wall is unstable.
- The ground is unstable after the heavy rain.
- The shelf is unstable because it is not fixed to the wall.
adjective
B2
property
2
likely to change suddenly; unreliable
Changing a lot in a way you cannot predict, so it is not safe or reliable.
Patrón de uso:
an unstable [situation/system/condition]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes say "unsafe" or "insecure" when they mean "unstable" for markets or situations. "Unsafe" is about danger, and "insecure" is about not feeling safe; "unstable" focuses on frequent or sudden change that makes something less reliable.
Sinónimos
volatile (Often used for markets, situations, or personalities that change suddenly and strongly.)
|
inconsistent (Emphasizes not being the same each time, but slightly weaker in feeling than "unstable".)
Antónimos
stable (Not changing much over time and therefore safe and reliable.)
Colocaciones
unstable economy
|unstable market
|unstable political situation
|unstable government
|unstable weather
|unstable system
Temas
society
|economics
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The political situation remains unstable after last year’s election.
- Investors are nervous because of the unstable housing market.
- The region has been economically unstable for decades.
- Her income is unstable, so she finds it hard to plan for the future.
- The software is still unstable and crashes every few hours.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The weather is unstable in spring.
- His job is unstable, so he is worried about money.
- They live in an unstable country with many protests.
- The company is unstable and may close next year.
- My internet connection is unstable and often stops working.
adjective
B2
property
3
emotionally or mentally unreliable
Having very strong mood or behavior changes that make a person hard to trust or feel safe with.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is unstable / an unstable [person/personality]
Error frecuente:
Calling someone "unstable" is very strong and can sound rude or judgmental. Use it carefully, often in medical, legal, or serious situations. In everyday talk, learners might choose softer words like "very up and down" or "has mood swings" to sound less harsh.
Sinónimos
erratic (Describes behavior that is unpredictable or irregular but sounds less clinical or serious.)
|
disturbed (Suggests serious emotional or mental problems, often used more in medical or formal contexts.)
Antónimos
balanced (Describes a person with steady emotions and reasonable behavior.)
Colocaciones
emotionally unstable
|mentally unstable
|psychologically unstable
|unstable personality
|mentally unstable person
Temas
emotions
|health
Ejemplos
- His behavior has become increasingly unstable, and his family is very worried.
- The court ordered a psychological evaluation after reports that he was mentally unstable.
- Growing up with an emotionally unstable parent can be very stressful for children.
- The therapist explained that he was not dangerous, just emotionally unstable and in need of support.
- Her mood is so unstable that you never know how she will react.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He is unstable and gets angry very quickly.
- She is emotionally unstable after the accident.
- They think he is mentally unstable and needs help.
- Her moods are unstable, and she changes from happy to sad in minutes.
- Living with an unstable person can be very hard.
adjective
technical
C1
property
4
chemically or physically likely to change
In chemistry or physics, easy to change into something else, for example by reacting or breaking apart.
Patrón de uso:
an unstable [compound/isotope/particle]
Sinónimos
reactive (Stresses readiness to react with other substances, not all types of physical instability.)
Antónimos
stable (In chemistry and physics, not likely to change, react, or break down under normal conditions.)
Colocaciones
unstable compound
|unstable isotope
|unstable nucleus
|unstable molecule
|thermally unstable
|dynamically unstable
Temas
science
|chemistry
|physics
Ejemplos
- This compound is highly unstable and must be stored at very low temperatures.
- The isotope is too unstable to occur naturally and can only be produced in a lab.
- As the star ages, its core becomes unstable and eventually collapses.
- Above 200°C, the mixture is unstable and will rapidly decompose.
- The model shows that the system is dynamically unstable for small perturbations.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The gas is unstable and can explode easily.
- This chemical is unstable in light and should be kept in a dark bottle.
- Some atoms are unstable and give off radiation.
- Water is stable, but this other liquid is unstable.
- An unstable molecule can change into a new substance.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
unstable
AFI
GB/ʌnstˈeɪbəl/
US/ʌnstˈeɪbəl/
Sílabas y acento
un - stable (2 sílabas)
Stress on 2nd syllable (stable)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: unstable
Familia de palabras
Negative and opposite forms
instability
noun B2
Advanced or less common
stabilization
noun
destabilize
verb C1
Expresiones
an unstable situation
1/ən ʌnstˈeɪbəl sˌɪt͡ʃuˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
situation likely to change or worsen
A situation that can easily change in a bad way, for example into conflict or problems.
Ejemplos
- It’s an unstable situation, and small mistakes could start a crisis.
- They entered an unstable situation without a clear plan.
- Negotiators are trying to calm an unstable situation at the border.
mentally unstable
1/mˈɛntəli ʌnstˈeɪbəl/
fixed phrase
having serious mental health issues
Having strong mental health problems that cause unusual or unsafe thoughts or actions.
Ejemplos
- The court ruled that he was mentally unstable at the time of the crime.
- Neighbors had long suspected that the man was mentally unstable.
- They argued that she was mentally unstable and needed treatment, not prison.
politically unstable
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəli ʌnstˈeɪbəl/
fixed phrase
having unstable politics or government
Having many sudden changes in leaders or government, often with protests or conflict.
Ejemplos
- The country has been politically unstable since the military coup.
- Investors are cautious about doing business in politically unstable regions.
- Tourists are advised to avoid politically unstable areas during elections.
unstable economy
1/ʌnstˈeɪbəl ɪkˈɑnəmi/
fixed phrase
economy with many sudden changes
An economy that goes up and down a lot, so people and businesses cannot plan safely.
Ejemplos
- Many families are struggling in the country’s unstable economy.
- Investors dislike an unstable economy because it raises their risk.
- An unstable economy can quickly turn a small problem into a big crisis.
unstable ground
1/ʌnstˈeɪbəl ɡɹˈaʊnd/
fixed phrase
ground that may move or collapse
Ground that is not firm and may move, break, or fall down.
Ejemplos
- The rescue team could not get closer because of the unstable ground.
- Building on unstable ground can be very dangerous.
- Heavy rain has turned the hillside into unstable ground.
unstable internet connection
1/ʌnstˈeɪbəl ˈɪntɚnˌɛt kənˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
internet that keeps cutting out
An internet connection that often stops working or changes speed suddenly.
Ejemplos
- I keep dropping out of the call because of my unstable internet connection.
- Online classes are difficult in rural areas with unstable internet connections.
- The video quality is poor due to an unstable internet connection.
emotionally unstable
1/ɪmˈoʊʃnəli ʌnstˈeɪbəl/
fixed phrase
having changeable or extreme emotions
Having strong mood changes and finding it hard to control feelings.
Ejemplos
- He became emotionally unstable after losing his job.
- After the accident, he became emotionally unstable and needed counseling.
- The doctor said she was emotionally unstable and needed support.
- The report described her as emotionally unstable and easily upset.
- Growing up with an emotionally unstable parent can be very stressful.
- Growing up with an emotionally unstable parent can be confusing for a child.