instability

[ in-stuh-bil-i-tee ]

/ ˌɪn stəˈbɪl ɪ ti /

the quality or state of being unstable; lack of stability or firmness.

the tendency to behave in an unpredictable, changeable, or erratic manner: emotional instability.

Origin of instability

1375–1425; late Middle English instabilite < Latin instabilitās. See in-³, stability

Paul will argue that such military force does little to combat the issues at the heart of instability.

Rand Paul Channels Malala to Bash Obama |Olivia Nuzzi |October 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The elections brought instead of stability, instability to Afghanistan,” said this official, “and it will never end.

Kabul Airport Attack Comes as Pakistani Fighters Join Afghan Taliban |Sami Yousafzai |July 17, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Our unpopular and unending interventions in the Middle East brought nothing but instability.

Welcome to Snowpiercer’s Apocalypse |Teo Bugbee |June 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Russians are buying up London property as a way to protect their money against the instability at home.

London’s Oligarch Ghost Town |Tom Sykes |June 16, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

That would be a recipe not just for Ukrainian instability but for instability and upheaval throughout the entire region.

Putin: The Cold War Comeback Kid |Andrew Nagorski |May 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
In every way I have been taught my weakness, my instability, and my unfitness for the world.

The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition Vol. 7 (of 25) |Robert Louis Stevenson
Texas, resenting the instability of Creole government, separated from the Mexican States after a devastating war.

Mexico |Charles Reginald Enock
But never before had I realized so fully what the instability of all earthly greatness means.

Three Months Abroad |Anna Vivanti
The instability of the element, however, on which they fought, prevented them from using their weapons with effect.

The Evil Eye; Or, The Black Spector |William Carleton
There was much depth in your statement of the present instability being consequent upon the stagnation of three hundred years.

The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn, Volume 2 |Elizabeth Bisland

instability

/ (ˌɪnstəˈbɪlɪtɪ) /

lack of stability or steadiness

tendency to variable or unpredictable behaviour

physics a fast growing disturbance or wave in a plasma