Synonyms

destabilize

American

[dee-stey-buh-lahyz] / diˈsteɪ bəˌlaɪz /

especially British, destabilise

verb (used with object)

destabilized, destabilizing

to make unstable; rid of stabilizing attributes.

conflicts that tend to destabilize world peace.

destabilize British

/ diːˈsteɪbɪˌlaɪz /

verb

(tr) to undermine or subvert (a government, economy, etc) so as to cause unrest or collapse

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

destabilization noun

Etymology

Origin of destabilize

First recorded in 1930–35; de- + stabilize

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Record sales and booming cash flow come as worries have shifted to AI’s destabilizing impact.

From The Wall Street Journal

American officials have warned the operation to destabilize the regime could take weeks.

From The Wall Street Journal

What steps should be taken to prevent data centers from accidentally destabilizing the power grid?

From The Wall Street Journal

“People are angry at the destabilizing impact that AI is inevitably going to have on our economy and our work life.”

From The Wall Street Journal

These actions have threatened to destabilize a school system with large numbers of immigrant families.

From Los Angeles Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023