stable 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of stablenext
1
as in sturdy
marked by the ability to withstand stress without structural damage or distortion the observation tower is stable enough to withstand the strongest winds without collapsing

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fixed
having been established and usually not subject to change a troubled nation badly in need of a stable government

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in normal
having full use of one's mind and control over one's actions she made some strange decisions back when she wasn't entirely stable

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in steady
not undergoing a change in condition a stable economic climate is best for business

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

stable

2 of 3

noun

as in host

Related Words

stable

3 of 3

verb

as in to home

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Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective stable contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of stable are durable, lasting, and permanent. While all these words mean "enduring for so long as to seem fixed or established," stable implies lastingness because of resistance to being overturned or displaced.

a stable government

When might durable be a better fit than stable?

The synonyms durable and stable are sometimes interchangeable, but durable implies power to resist destructive agencies.

durable fabrics

When is it sensible to use lasting instead of stable?

The words lasting and stable can be used in similar contexts, but lasting implies a capacity to continue indefinitely.

a book that left a lasting impression on me

When would permanent be a good substitute for stable?

While the synonyms permanent and stable are close in meaning, permanent adds usually the implication of being designed or planned to stand or continue indefinitely.

permanent living arrangements

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of stable
Adjective
The 21-year-old woman is in critical condition, while the seven other victims are stable, according to police. — Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 Also, the ocean offers genuine advantages, such as stable temperatures, an abundance of undisputed land, and no neighbors complaining about noise. — New Atlas, 5 July 2026
Noun
While not grounded by the FAA, ULA has delayed any further launches of Vulcan and instead knocked out its remaining stable of Atlas V rockets. — Richard Tribou, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 June 2026 The problems for grid operators are far more complex, but Torus offers a full-stack solution that integrates hardware, software, cybersecurity, monitoring, and maintenance, while providing flexible capacity to keep the grid stable. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 3 July 2026
Verb
Experience, leadership, someone that can stable (sic) the vote. — Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for stable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stable
  1. sturdy
  2. fixed
  3. normal
  4. steady
  5. host
  6. home
  7. strong
  8. certain
Adjective
  • Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.
    — CA Earthquake Bot, Sacbee.com, 6 July 2026
  • For your safety, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
    — NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 4 July 2026
Definition of sturdy
Adjective
  • There’s no fixed salary to fall back on.
    — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 28 June 2026
  • Give Yourself Time To Become A Leader Remember that the transformation from founder to leader is an ongoing process, not a fixed state.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of fixed
Adjective
  • For many women, painful periods are treated as an unfortunate but normal part of life.
    — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 7 July 2026
  • Typically, El Niño is associated with wetter-than-normal conditions during the winter in Southern California.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
Definition of normal
Adjective
  • This doesn't look like the time for steady rate cuts, and current Warsh recently emphasized the bank's 2% inflation target, which hasn't been reached since 2021.
    — Dan Mangan,Luke Fountain,Kevin Breuninger,Garrett Downs,Ashley Capoot,Justin Papp, CNBC, 2 July 2026
  • In other words, women tend to burn more fat for energy than men during steady, moderate-intensity endurance exercise, such as a marathon.
    — Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 2 July 2026
Definition of steady
Noun
  • The round of 32 is in progress, with several teams already moving on the round of 16, including tournament co-hosts Canada and Mexico.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
  • Griffin's last appearance on the Tonight Show was in 2013, during Jay Leno's tenure as host.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 1 July 2026
Definition of host
Verb
  • The best travel this month is active, spontaneous, and close enough to home that logistics don't get in the way of the fun.
    — Kirah Tabourn, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 May 2026
  • The creation of such a time-capsule milieu is Smith’s longtime directorial strength of course, even if occasionally at the expense of homing in an audience on a specific moment.
    — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
Definition of home
Adjective
  • Beyond California, scientists are raising alarms over the planet’s warming oceans, which — coupled with a strong El Niño — could increase temperatures for land dwellers in the coming weeks.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Weather aside, Fall/Winter 2026 Haute Couture Week, running from July 6 to 9, will feature shows from 30 houses, compared with FW25’s 27-strong line-up.
    — Laure Guilbault, Vogue, 6 July 2026
Definition of strong
Adjective
  • The technology has drawn public controversy since Detroit first signed a contract covering certain police precincts in 2020, and again in late 2022.
    — Bonny Chu, FOXNews.com, 1 July 2026
  • By then Tanacharison is telling Washington that he is mystically protected, in the mode of certain Indigenous warriors who were placed on earth to be leaders.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 July 2026
Definition of certain

Phrases Containing stable

Browse Nearby Words

stab in the back
stable
stabled
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Cite this Entry

“Stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on stable

Nglish: Translation of stable for Spanish Speakers

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