1
as in sporadic
lacking in steadiness or regularity of occurrence
a year of unsteady economic growth
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly
in the days of sailing ships, mariners were constantly at the mercy of unsteady winds
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in unstable
not being in or able to maintain a state of balance
cautiously climbed up the unsteady ladder
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4
as in uneven
not staying constant
unsteady business conditions that rattled investors
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unsteady
If the economy or financial markets are perceived to be on unsteady footing, that will make buyers, banks and equity investors nervous, which will hurt your odds of getting the business sold.
—
George Deeb, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
As the uncertainty wears on, business leaders face an unsteady economic future, meaning Indiana could see less hiring and less investment in the local economy, Hummels said.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
With Showtime launched in 2023 after a couple of unsteady years as a bundle of the two discrete services — the stand-alone streamer Paramount+ (f.k.a.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 24 June 2025
There’s something both inevitable and devastating about the fetishization of the ordinary, particularly in the context of a grim and unsteady world.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
George Deeb, Forbes.com, 28 Mar. 2025
As the uncertainty wears on, business leaders face an unsteady economic future, meaning Indiana could see less hiring and less investment in the local economy, Hummels said.
—Alysa Guffey, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
With Showtime launched in 2023 after a couple of unsteady years as a bundle of the two discrete services — the stand-alone streamer Paramount+ (f.k.a.
—Eric Vilas-Boas, Vulture, 24 June 2025
There’s something both inevitable and devastating about the fetishization of the ordinary, particularly in the context of a grim and unsteady world.
—Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsteady
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsteady
Adjective
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Hamas long ago expended the vast majority of its rocket arsenal, able now to launch only sporadic rockets that have near-zero impact.—
Oren Liebermann,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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Establishing clear objectives from the beginning is important for avoiding vague goals, sporadic communication or unclear accountability.—
Casey Halbach,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Whether or not all these pricing updates are related to tariffs is unclear, but the volatile trade war has brought uncertainty.—
Julian Chokkattu,
Wired News,
10 July 2025
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Yet, her bounce-back with a 2-under across the next 15 holes shows how volatile golf can be.—
Devlina Sarkar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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For manufacturers using Odoo, a strategic approach to agentic AI can help prepare for unstable markets, rising costs, shifting customer demands and hostile geopolitics.—
Dmitriy Stepanov,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
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But Haiti remains unstable, Columbus' Manuel said, disputing the government's claim that conditions have improved there.—
Danae King,
USA Today,
7 July 2025
Adjective
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The pandemic may have accelerated long-standing public health challenges, and the recovery, the study makes clear, has been uneven and incomplete.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 July 2025
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Spongy or uneven surfaces are caused by structural weakening from internal damage.—
Timothy Dale,
Better Homes & Gardens,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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There’s a reason for that: Fire hose again, coupled with intermittent kinks and leaks.—
Amy Lindgren,
Twin Cities,
12 July 2025
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Dietary changes such as intermittent fasting, caloric restriction, and ketogenic diet with regular exercise can prevent MASH or delay its progression.—
Suchandrima Bhowmik,
Health,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Unlike cheaper rebounders that can feel stiff or unpredictable, this one stays sturdy and responsive.—
Jordan Galloway,
SELF,
15 July 2025
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Trump criticized the Russian leader, describing Putin as unpredictable.—
Callum Sutherland,
Time,
14 July 2025
Adjective
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The 32-year-old spent the last two seasons exclusively in the NHL after grinding his way through AHL seasons with the occasional call-up.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Disruption today is built-in—an ever-present reality, not just an occasional glitch.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Hers is the kind of face that inspires directors to tight framing — gleaming, as if smoothed from marble, and yet somehow pliant, changeful.—
Jordan Kisner Jack Davison,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2022
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Rigorous, blustery winter; winding sleety spring; hot, moist enervating summer; changeful autumn with its dog-days; these are absolutely unknown.—
San Diego Union-Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
1 Jan. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Unsteady.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsteady. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
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