unsturdy
- adjective
- /ʌnˈstɜrdi/
:
inestable
- The table was so unsturdy that it wobbled whenever someone leaned on it.
Examples
-
You should avoid those unsturdy shelves; they might collapse under the weight of your books.
-
The bridge looked unsturdy, so we decided not to cross it.
-
That unsturdy foundation alone—a compound of indecision, cravenness, and squandered credibility—is one reason why the policy would be likely to fail.
Academic text (2010) -
And the disclaimer the Klan appended to the foot of the cross was unsturdy; it did not identify the Klan as sponsor; it failed to state unequivocally that Ohio did not endorse the display's message; and it was not shown to be legible from a distance.
Academic text (1995)
Synonyms
83
3.4
Easily broken or damaged because it is not strong
80
4.4
Not steady and likely to change, fail, or fall
53
3.3
Not firm or safe and likely to fail
47
7.6
In a dangerous, unstable position likely to fall or fail
36
3.6
Unsteady and likely to move from side to side
25
3.8
Thin and not strong so it breaks or tears easily
18
5.9
Unstable and likely to fall, like an old chair or bridge
16
3.3
Not firm or balanced and likely to fall
11
6.2
Long, thin, and looking weak, often said about plants or people
10
4.3
Not safe because it might fail or break
8
7.5
Unsteady and likely to fall over easily
6
7.7
Not steady or straight and likely to wobble
1
6.7
The parts of something move easily when they are not held together firmly
1
8.0
Soft ground that moves or sinks easily
Shaky and likely to fall over when you touch it
Is not steady and likely to fall or roll
Not firmly fixed and likely to come loose
Antonyms
How Sturdy
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Unsturdy is made from the prefix un- meaning 'not' and sturdy meaning 'strong' or 'well-made'. So something unsturdy is 'not strong' and likely to wobble or fall.