unreliable

[ uhn-ri-lahy-uh-buhl ]

adjective

1. not reliable; not to be relied or depended on.

   Synonyms: untrustworthy, undependable, irresponsible

unreliable

/ ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbəl /

adjective

1. not reliable; untrustworthy

   an unreliable witness

Other Words From

• unre·lia·bili·ty unre·lia·ble·ness noun
• unre·lia·bly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of unreliable¹

First recorded in 1830–40; un- ¹ + reliable

Example Sentences

Since then dozens of people have got in touch with BBC News, many saying that buses remain fundamentally unreliable.

From BBC

Many pollsters have also shifted to using online surveys, but experts said those were known for being unreliable.

From BBC

“You see how challenging it was for her to confront so much of her own story. It’s also a window into her as an unreliable narrator.”

From Los Angeles Times

Georgian Dream, known as GD, is set to win about a third of the vote according to opinion polls, although they are widely seen as unreliable.

From BBC

That seems unlikely, although Georgia's opinion polls are unreliable and questions have been raised over the secrecy of the vote, despite a new electronic voting system.

From BBC

Related Words

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