# instability

/ˌɪnstəˈbɪɫɪti/ (US) · /ɪnstəbˈɪlɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/instability
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. lack of steadiness

noun · CEFR B2

a situation where things are changing quickly and unpredictably, often in a bad way.

For teachers: the quality of being prone to sudden change or collapse; often applied to political, economic, or emotional contexts.

- The country suffered from political instability for many years after the war.
- Market analysts warned that the current economic instability could lead to a significant decrease in foreign investment over the next quarter.

### 2. scientific imbalance

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a state in science where a small change causes a big, permanent effect.

For teachers: a state in which a system is not in equilibrium, such that a minor perturbation results in a large and often irreversible shift.

- Atmospheric instability often leads to the formation of large thunderstorms.
- The structural instability of the compound became apparent when it was exposed to even slight variations in ambient temperature.

## Examples

- The country is facing a period of political instability.
- Engineers were concerned about the structural instability of the bridge after the heavy floods damaged its foundation.
- The sudden drop in interest rates created significant instability in the housing market, leading many investors to withdraw their capital until prices reached a new equilibrium.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.