UNRELIABLE Synonyms: 70 Similar and Opposite Words

unreliable

adjective

Definition of unreliable

as in erratic

likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly I wouldn't count on him to show up for the play—he's pretty unreliable. She drives her car locally, but worries it's too unreliable for longer trips.

Related Words

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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 unreliable Current generative simulations are unreliable, Mousavi acknowledged. — Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026 If policymakers change direction, people's behavior might too — making old patterns an unreliable guide to whether a new policy will work. — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026 Prosecutors and defense attorneys have clashed over whether DNA evidence revealed the killer or an unreliable investigation where key physical evidence vanished. — Leigh Egan, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026 But few passengers used those services, which were often expensive, slow and unreliable. — Niraj Chokshi, New York Times, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unreliable

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unreliable

Adjective

Climate change also brings increasingly erratic storm systems, heat and rainfall patterns that leave standing water, creating conditions ideal for mosquitoes to breed.

— Kylee Rae Noel, The Conversation, 27 Oct. 2026
Baseball is an ensemble game, a wildly erratic sport to predict.

— Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of erratic

Adjective

Despite the Cougars’ shaky start, with all that Pac-12 prestige, exposure and, importantly, financial income under both teams’ belts, does either have an inherent advantage over the conference’s newcomers?

— Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 22 Oct. 2026
The Glee reboot should pepper the series with some fun cameos from beloved characters, many of whom got cast in the later shakier seasons, as well as some of the most fun guest stars.

— Chris Murphy, Vanity Fair, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of shaky

Adjective

This time around, both teams are coming in after inconsistent regular seasons, but both have been much better over the last five weeks.

— Steve Millar, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
The association with the Human Rights Campaign could create more confusion about Talarico’s stance on the medical issue, as his position has come into question through his inconsistent comments.

— Hudson Crozier, The Washington Examiner, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of inconsistent

Adjective

And then there’s Kimberly’s home life, which features an emotionally and physically fragile mom preparing to give birth and an undependable alcoholic father.

— Rob Hubbard, Twin Cities, 25 Feb. 2026
Yasmin, who was ousted from Pierpoint after a tabloid scandal involving her publishing-magnate father threatened to sully the bank by association, has turned to another undependable man for salvation, proposing to an aristocratic failson called Sir Henry Muck (Kit Harington).

— Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026

Definition of undependable

Adjective

Rashida Jones and Will McCormack wrote the screenplay for the film that follows two couples at a dinner party that turns into an unpredictable evening exposing messy relationships and desires.

— Beatrice Verhoeven, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2026
The Serbian leader had long been seen as an unpredictable annoyance, and his balancing act wasn’t particularly subtle.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of unpredictable

Adjective

To their credit, the creative minds behind the Absolute series don’t bother masking their politics — an especially bold move for anyone working in an industry with an often reactive and volatile fandom.

— Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 28 Oct. 2026
Still, the prospect of additional supply from American producers remains uncertain, with companies reluctant to commit to major new investments amid volatile prices and geopolitical risks.

— Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2026

Definition of volatile

Adjective

Water essentially acts as a catalyst that spontaneously creates particles known as hydroxyl radicals, unstable molecules linked to aging and disease.

— Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
If a tree appears diseased, unstable or at risk of falling, consider documenting the problem and notifying the owner in writing.

— Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of unstable

Browse Nearby Words

unreliability

unreliable

unreluctant

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“Unreliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unreliable. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of unreliable

adjective

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