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Definitions

unsteady

[uhn-sted-ee] / ʌnˈstɛd i /
ADJECTIVE
shaky
Synonyms
STRONGEST
erratic groggy precarious rickety rocky unstable wobbly
WEAK
capricious changeable dizzy fickle fluctuating giddy inconstant quivery shifting teetering tippy unreliable unsettled unsound vacillating variable wabbly wavering wayward wiggly
Antonyms
STRONGEST
certain definite dependable stable steady strong sure

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.

In order to obtain a warrant to obtain a blood draw, the officer “falsely claimed that Senator Cervantes had an unsteady gait, slurred speech, and an appearance of drowsiness,” the complaint alleges.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Yet they have to correct for a yearslong decline in employer response rates to BLS surveys—which does not negate the data overall, but certainly makes preliminary calculations a bit more unsteady and speculative.

From Slate • Apr. 3, 2026

So why haven’t these headlines done more to calm an unsteady global oil market?

From MarketWatch • Mar. 11, 2026

The morning of the disaster, unbeknown to those at the foot of the mountain, the large tip had been made unsteady by a build-up of water.

From BBC • Feb. 22, 2026

As Jonathan scrambled across the unsteady ground, he clenched his teeth, bracing himself for the impact.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret