unsteady

[ uhn-sted-ee ]

adjective

1. not steady or firm; unstable; shaky:

   an unsteady hand.

2. fluctuating or wavering:

   an unsteady flame; unsteady prices.

   Synonyms: vacillating

3. irregular or uneven:

   an unsteady development.

verb (used with object)

, un·stead·ied, un·stead·y·ing.

1. to make unsteady.

unsteady

/ ʌnˈstɛdɪ /

adjective

1. not securely fixed

   an unsteady foothold

2. (of behaviour, etc) lacking constancy; erratic
3. without regularity

   an unsteady rhythm

4. (of a manner of walking, etc) precarious, staggering, as from intoxication

verb

1. tr to make unsteady

Derived Forms

• unˈsteadiness, noun
• unˈsteadily, adverb

Other Words From

• un·steadi·ly adverb
• un·steadi·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unsteady¹

First recorded in 1525–35; un- ¹ + steady

Synonym Study

See unsettled.

Example Sentences

“He stands outside, in the dark London night, sobbing and unsteady, the handrail only a few feet away. And below that is the cold hard pavement,” Henry writes in her book.

From Los Angeles Times

It is an unsteady balance of compassion, the nation’s economic needs and bipartisan calls for stricter regulations often distorted by weaponized statistics and divisive politics.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s not your imagination: The ground beneath Southern California has been particularly unsteady as of late, with the region experiencing more moderate-sized earthquakes this year than it has in decades.

From Los Angeles Times

The challenge will be not getting unsteadied by meticulously curated opposing pitching plans.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a tricky operation for someone so unsteady.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• erratic
• groggy
• precarious
• rickety
• rocky
• unstable
• wobbly