destabilize
v.v. to make something that was stable or steady become weak, shaky, or less certain. You use this when talking about things like governments, prices, or even your own balance.
v. to cause a loss of stability or equilibrium in a system, structure, or political entity. Often describes the weakening of a government or the disruption of a market.
The sudden drop in prices began to destabilize the local economy.
The sudden resignation of the prime minister threatened to destabilize the entire coalition government.
Economic sanctions can often destabilize a nation's currency more effectively than a direct military intervention, as they erode public confidence and trigger inflation.
From de- + stabilize.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Last updated May 25, 2026