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Glite Dictionary
state of flux

state of flux

4 6.1
A time when things keep changing and nothing is certain
  • noun
translation icon : estado de cambio
  • The economy is currently in a state of flux, making it hard for businesses to plan for the future.
  • a constant state of flux

And when you disturb things, they go into a state of flux before they they reform in a different way.

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Examples

  • "The industry is in such a state of flux because of prices and confusion over demand."

    Academic text (1997)

  • Finally, it is critical to remember that the systems in question remain in a state of flux.

    Academic text (1994)

  • And United appear to be in a state of flux for nearly ten years now.

  • Yeah, I was going through a strange state of flux.

    That's Not Me (2017)

  • We're in a state of flux, but we can figure it out.

    California No (2018)

  • We are in a state of flux.

    Academic text (1998)

  • But the world is constantly in a state of flux.

    Academic text (2011)

  • Yeah, we're in a constant state of flux.

    Fiction book (2001)

  • Because of the end of the Cold War, the region is in a genuine state of flux where nothing is certain.

    Academic text (1998)

  • American public schools are in a constant state of flux and, as a result, cannot be easily captured in a single snapshot.

    Academic text (2003)

Synonyms

instability
vsstate of flux
114 5.1

A situation that changes easily and can fail, for example in politics

focuses on frequent change plus uncertainty rather than just lack of firmness
flux
vsstate of flux
34 7.2

A situation that keeps changing and is not stable

emphasizes frequent change combined with uncertainty about future events

Antonyms

stability
363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

constancy
4 5.3

A steady loyalty to someone or something over time

How Uncertain

chaotic
116 4.7
state of flux
4 6.1
stability
363 3.1

Surface Forms

state of flux singular
states of flux plural

Morphology

state + of + flux

The phrase combines 'state' (a condition) with 'flux' (ongoing change/instability) in a straightforward compositional pattern, so the meaning 'a condition of frequent change or uncertainty' is directly derivable from the parts. The 'state of X' construction is a regular, cross-linguistically common nominal pattern, making this immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

State of flux uses the old word flux, meaning 'flow', to paint a picture of things moving like water. So when something is in a state of flux, it is 'changing' and 'uncertain' because it has no fixed shape.