Meaning & use
destabilizing
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“destabilizing” is a form of “destabilize”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Making something, such as a government or system, become less stable or more likely to fail.
Grammar: This is the -ing form of the verb; it can be part of a progressive tense ('is destabilizing') or a gerund ('destabilizing the region').
Patterns
- be destabilizing something
- destabilizing the economy
The protests are destabilizing the government.
High inflation is destabilizing the currency.
They accused the group of destabilizing the peace process.
adjectivebefore a noun
Causing something to become less stable or more uncertain.
Grammar: Used before a noun to describe the effect or influence, as in 'a destabilizing influence'.
Patterns
- destabilizing effect
- destabilizing influence
The new policy had a destabilizing effect on the market.
Climate change is a destabilizing force in many regions.
His sudden resignation was destabilizing for the team.
Word forms
| base form | destabilize |
|---|---|
| third person singular | destabilizes |
| past tense | destabilized |
| past participle | destabilized |
| -ing form | destabilizing |
Common combinations
- destabilizing effect
- The war had a destabilizing effect on neighboring countries.
- destabilizing influence
- Foreign interference is seen as a destabilizing influence.
- destabilizing the region
- The rebels are accused of destabilizing the region.
- economically destabilizing
- The sanctions were economically destabilizing for the country.
Synonyms and how they differ
- undermining
- Undermining means weakening gradually, often from within, while destabilizing focuses on making something unstable or likely to collapse.
- disruptive
- Disruptive means causing interruption or disorder; destabilizing is stronger and suggests making a system fail.
Opposites
Word family
- destabilize verb
- To make something less stable.
- destabilization noun
- The process of making something unstable.
- stabilize verb
- To make something stable or steady.
Commonly confused: destabilizing or destabilise?
destabilizing vs destabilise
This is the British spelling of the same word; 'destabilize' is the American spelling.
Practice
Choose the correct form: 'The constant changes are ___ the company.'
Choose one answer.
'Destabilizing' is correct because after 'are' we need the -ing form for a progressive tense. 'Destabilize' would need 'to' or a different subject; 'destabilized' is past tense and does not fit 'are'; 'destabilization' is a noun and cannot follow 'are' here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “destabilizing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.