unsteady
12 synonyms and 1 antonym for unsteady, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not firmly balanced or supported; shaky.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use unsteady
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
unsteady hands
unsteady on your feet
unsteady voice
Etymology
From un- + steady. Like steady, the word first appeared in English around 1530. The word is comparable to Old Frisian onstedich, Low German unstadig, etc.
Full origin of unsteady →Frequently asked questions
What does “unsteady” mean?
The word “unsteady” means not firmly balanced or supported; shaky. In plain terms, wobbly or inconsistent, whether physically or in behaviour.
How do you pronounce “unsteady”?
“Unsteady” is pronounced uhn-STEH-dee (/ʌnˈstɛdi/ in IPA).
How do you use “unsteady” in a sentence?
Here is “unsteady” used in a sentence: “He felt unsteady on his feet after the long flight.”
What is another word for “unsteady”?
Words with a similar meaning to “unsteady” include rickety, shaky, irregular, unstable, erratic and fluid.
What is the opposite of “unsteady”?
The opposite of “unsteady” — its antonyms — is steady.
What part of speech is “unsteady”?
“Unsteady” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “unsteady” have?
“Unsteady” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not firmly balanced or supported; shaky.
