Question 1 · Quick check
instability
/ɪnstəˈbɪlɪti/
noun
Türkçe translations
Translating…
In plain English
- 01
noun
The condition of being likely to change, fail, or fall.
- 02
noun
Extra detailA state that is not in equilibrium, or in which a small change has a large irreversible effect.
Examples
Gold prices are skyrocketing in the wake of financial instability.
The country is going through a period of economic instability.
At a glance
Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale
- Senses
- 3
- Parts of speech
- 1
- Citations
- 1
- Synonyms
- 2
Also pronounced
- [ˌɪnstəˈbɪləɾi]
Deep Dive
noun
Extra meaningThe quality of being unstable.
More examples
In contextThe 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.
Related
Quick test
Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.
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Nearby
Origin
noun
From Middle French instabilité, from Latin instabilitas. Morphologically in- + stability.