English Reference

Word

destabilize

Phoneticsdesta·bi·lize

/dɪˈsteɪbəˌɫaɪz/

Definition

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.

Examples

“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.”

Examples

simple

“The sudden drop in prices began to destabilize the local economy.”

contextual

“The sudden resignation of the prime minister threatened to destabilize the entire coalition government.”

complex

“Economic sanctions can often destabilize a nation's currency more effectively than a direct military intervention, as they erode public confidence and trigger inflation.”

Real-World Examples

“This means that global temperatures next year will almost certainly be the hottest ever, further destabilizing our planet’s environment.”
Ars Technica · 5 Aug 2026
“Those forces might destabilize the white dwarf and cause it to explode as a Type Ia supernova (SNe Ia).”
ScienceDaily · 1 Aug 2026

Etymology

From de- + stabilize.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C1 · Advanced
Frequency
Occasional
Updated

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English Reference