undependably

6.6

In a way that cannot be trusted to work

adverb
/ˌʌndɪˈpɛndəbli/

: de manera poco confiable

The equipment performed undependably during the crucial test phase.

Examples

He always arrives undependably at meetings.
The software update causes the application to behave undependably on several devices.
He has handled his assignments undependably in the past, which concerns his supervisor.
She completed her assignments undependably throughout the semester.
The car's engine started to function undependably after the last repair.
Her performance at work has been undependably inconsistent this year.
The postal service has delivered packages undependably, causing many issues for residents.

Synonyms

unpredictably

vsundependably

4 4.8

In a way you cannot guess before it happens

describes lack of dependability or trustworthiness, not mere unpredictability

unreliably

vsundependably

1 4.4

In a way you cannot trust to be correct or the same each time

is about general lack of trustworthiness rather than technical accuracy

untrustworthily

vsundependably

8.1

In a dishonest or unreliable way

focuses on unreliability as general dependability failure rather than moral fault

Antonyms

reliably

33 2.5

In a way you can trust to work or happen

dependably

1 3.0

In a way that people can rely on

How Dependable

reliably

33 2.5

dependably

1 3.0

undependably

6.6

unreliably

1 4.4

Surface Forms

undependably positive

Morphology

undependably = undependable (transparent) = un + depend + able + ly

The adverb is formed by adding -ly to 'undependable' (un- + dependable), so its meaning is directly derived from the adjective.

Etymology

The word undependably breaks into un- 'not', depend 'to rely on' (as in dependable), and -ly 'in a way'. Think of a rope or tool that sometimes fails when you need it; if it holds only sometimes, it acts undependably and you cannot trust it. So undependably means 'in an unreliable or untrustworthy way'.