different between unstable vs wayward

English

Etymology

un- +? stable

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?n?ste?b??/
• Rhymes: -e?b?l

Adjective

unstable (comparative more unstable, superlative most unstable)

1. Having a strong tendency to change.
2. Fluctuating; not constant.
3. Fickle.
4. Unpredictable.
5. (chemistry) Readily decomposable.
6. (physics) Radioactive, especially with a short half-life.

Synonyms

• (having strong tendency to change): labile
• (fluctuating, not constant): instable (rare); see also Thesaurus:unsteady
• (fickle): arbitrary, capricious
• (not held or fixed securely and likely to fall over): tottering, unsteady, wobbly; see also Thesaurus:rickety

Antonyms

• stable

Related terms

• instability
• unstability (rare)

Translations

Verb

unstable (third-person singular simple present unstables, present participle unstabling, simple past and past participle unstabled)

1. (transitive) To release (an animal) from a stable.

Anagrams

• abluents, ant-blues, bleaunts, blue ants, tunables, unablest

English

Etymology

shortening of away +? -ward

Pronunciation

• enPR: w?'w?rd, IPA^(key): /?we?w?d/

Adjective

wayward (comparative more wayward, superlative most wayward)

1. given to wilful, perverse deviation from the expected norm; tending to stray
2. obstinate, contrary and unpredictable
3. (sports) not on target

Synonyms

• willful, headstrong, perverse, obstinate, obdurate, contrary, disobedient, insubordinate, undisciplined, capricious, witherward, froward
• See also Thesaurus:obstinate

Translations