instability — English Dictionary

Noun

1. The quality of being unstable.

   Usage

   • Uncountable

   Synonyms

   unstabilityunstablenessvolatility

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   The template is [Richard] Nixon’s “madman theory” of diplomatic engagement – shorthand for prompting your adversaries to doubt your sanity and mental instability to the point where they are intimidated into otherwise unlikely concessions.

2. A state that is not in equilibrium, or in which a small change has a large irreversible effect.

   Usage

   • Countable

Noun

1. an unstable order

   Antonyms

   stability

   Broader terms

   disorder

2. unreliability attributable to being unstable

   Broader terms

   undependabilityundependablenessunreliabilityunreliableness

3. a lack of balance or state of disequilibrium

   Synonyms

   imbalanceunbalance

   Broader terms

   disequilibrium

   Examples

   a hormonal imbalance

4. the quality or attribute of being unstable and irresolute

   Synonyms

   unstableness

   Antonyms

   stability

   Broader terms

   unsteadiness