unreliable

[uhn-ri-lahy-uh-buhl] / ˌʌn rɪˈlaɪ ə bəl /

ADJECTIVE

not trustworthy, not true

Synonyms

STRONGEST

capricious deceptive dubious false fickle inaccurate irresponsible treacherous tricky uncertain unsound unstable untrustworthy

STRONG

undependable

WEAK

deceitful delusive disreputable erroneous fake fallible fly-by-night furtive hallucinatory hollow implausible inconstant makeshift meretricious mistaken pretended pseudo questionable sham shifty specious unconvincing underhand underhanded unfaithful unsure untrue vacillating wavering weak

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accurate certain clear constant correct definite dependable faithful forthright frank honest reliable right stable steady strong sure true trustworthy truthful

WEAK

responsible

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Goodwin is also troubled by what he labels “stale pricing,” as marks on some positions have a wide variance and can be conservative or unreliable.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Mercurial and unreliable in the studio, Stewart would sometimes fall asleep on the couch during recording sessions or lie down in the vocal booth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

But their complicated mechanics make these funds unreliable for long-term investors.

From Barron's • Mar. 23, 2026

The challenge, as explained to Northwestern Now by the center’s founder and professor Erik Nisbet, is that standard measures of democratic commitment are unreliable.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

Already he was starting to suffer from a shortage of breath, just as in his earlier days his lungs had been quite unreliable.

From "The Metamorphosis" by Franz Kafka

unreliable

Example Sentences

Related Words