Instability Meaning
/ɪnstəˈbɪlɪti/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe quality of being unstable.
nounA state that is not in equilibrium, or in which a small change has a large irreversible effect.
Sentence Examples
Gold prices are skyrocketing in the wake of financial instability.
The country is going through a period of economic instability.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The political ____ caused many people to leave the country in fear.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Political ____ in the region has led to a major decrease in the number of tourists visiting the area.
Word Origin & History
From Middle French instabilité, from Latin instabilitas. Morphologically in- + stability.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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."
— 2026 April 8, Robert Tait, “Trump may be using Nixon’s ‘madman theory’ – and similar infamy may await”, in The Guardian, →ISSN, archived from the original on 08 Apr 2026:
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CEFR Practice Quiz
The political ____ caused many people to leave the country in fear.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Political ____ in the region has led to a major decrease in the number of tourists visiting the area.