unstable

[ uhn-stey-buhl ]
/ ʌnˈsteɪ bəl /

adjective

not stable; not firm or firmly fixed; unsteady.
liable to fall or sway.
unsteadfast; inconstant; wavering: unstable convictions.
marked by emotional instability: an unstable person.
irregular in movement: an unstable heartbeat.
Chemistry. noting compounds that readily decompose or change into other compounds.

Origin of unstable

Middle English word dating back to 1175–1225; see origin at un-1, stable2

SYNONYMS FOR unstable

2, 3 See unsettled.
3 vacillating.

OTHER WORDS FROM unstable

un·sta·ble·ness, noun un·sta·bly, adverb

Example sentences from the Web for unstable

British Dictionary definitions for unstable

unstable
/ (ʌnˈsteɪbəl) /

adjective

lacking stability, fixity, or firmness
disposed to temperamental, emotional, or psychological variability
(of a chemical compound) readily decomposing
physics
  1. (of an elementary particle) having a very short lifetime
  2. spontaneously decomposing by nuclear decay; radioactivean unstable nuclide
electronics (of an electrical circuit, mechanical body, etc) having a tendency to self-oscillation

Derived forms of unstable

unstableness, noun unstably, adverb

Scientific definitions for unstable

unstable
[ ŭn-stābəl ]

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.
Relating to a chemical compound that readily decomposes or changes into other compounds or into elements.
Relating to an atom or chemical element that is likely to share electrons; reactive.
Characterized by uncertain or inadequate response to treatment and the potential for unfavorable outcome, as the status of a medical condition or disease.