labile

adjective

Definition of labilenext
as in unstable

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 labile While traditional facelifts merely tighten the skin in a superficial manner, deep-plane procedures can now reorganize the underlying structure of the face, repositioning muscles, fat pads, and ligaments in a labile system of roving features. — Patrick R. Crowley, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026 The astonishing Laanstra-Corn does not play Hedvig purely as an innocent; there’s something as dangerous and emotionally labile in her shocked face as there is in Gregers’s explosive outbursts. — Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 18 Sep. 2025 The mob is aroused and labile; the lumpy cops have no control, over the situation or over themselves. — James Parker, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2024 Then the therapist could spend several minutes establishing a safe rapport with the patient while waiting for the memory to enter a labile state during the reconsolidation-updating window. — Bj Casey, Scientific American, 14 May 2024 Amid this high level of acting skill, Lindsey stood out with her wonderfully convincing gestures and facial expressions, filling out the character of the more labile younger sister with captivating verisimilitude. — Jeremy Yudkin, BostonGlobe.com, 17 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for labile
  1. unstable
  2. versatile
  3. changing
  4. varying
  5. inconstant
Adjective
  • No one sees exactly what happened, and the only witness, a mentally unstable man, gives conflicting accounts that deepen the uncertainty.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Events plod forward, one after the other, and although Michael Shaeffer is a thoroughly compelling presence as the cruel and chronically unstable monarch Aerys, other performances seem nuance-free.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of unstable
Adjective
  • There are concerns around selling the versatile Spence but new signing Andy Robertson will provide competition at left-back for Destiny Udogie, while Archie Gray can cover Pedro Porro on the opposite side.
    — Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • With so many versatile applications, chances are there’s a use for peppermint oil in your household.
    — BestReviews, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of versatile
Adjective
  • In some studies, gloves not changed between tasks had higher bacterial counts and could transfer germs just as easily as ungloved hands, underscoring the need for frequent changing and proper hand hygiene.
    — Evan Moore December 19, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025
Definition of changing
Adjective
  • This is a recurring injury for Smith, who has missed five of the last nine games due to varying levels of discomfort in his calf.
    — Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 23 Feb. 2026
  • Even within a single day, temporary weight shifts are common and are often due to varying levels of fluid retention.
    — Lauren O'Connor, Health, 22 Oct. 2025
Definition of varying
Adjective
  • But there’s another inconstant element on Flagler that neither the city nor its agencies have any control over.
    — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 6 Aug. 2026
  • Each one grew up in a home that required her to curry favor with volatile and inconstant parents—a menacing father figure, a recessive and enabling mother—and each found a fragile safety in her caretakers’ occasional good will.
    — Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Definition of inconstant

Browse Nearby Words

labels
labile
labor
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Labile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/labile. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on labile

Nglish: Translation of labile for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of lackadaisical

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All