Tenuous stability

USAGE SUMMARY

"tenuous stability" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation or condition that is fragile or not firmly established. For example, "The region's tenuous stability was threatened by ongoing political unrest." Alternative expressions include "fragile stability" and "precarious stability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Whatever tenuous stability Minnie had felt at home crumbled as that initial touch turned into an affair.

The New York Times - Magazine

A tenuous stability in Iraq gave way to renewed sectarian warfare and the emergence of a vicious terrorist state.

The Washington Post

Opponents of the president said his tougher tone could upset the tenuous stability in cross-strait relations that he has achieved.

The New York Times

It reignited long-simmering tensions years after a decade of intermittent war in Chechnya, a southern Russian republic, was replaced by tenuous stability.

The New York Times

He abandoned the house he had designed and built in upstate New York, and wandered in Alaska, Texas, and Newfoundland before finding a tenuous stability in Naples.

The New Yorker

And the recent national intelligence estimate, a consensus of America's spies, gives three prognoses: bad (tenuous stability), worse and worst (civil war).

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

In theory, this could mean a tenuous nuclear stability, much as in the Cold War.

The New York Times

Zimbabwe had achieved a tenuous political stability in the two years since regional leaders first pressured Mr. Mugabe to enter a power-sharing government with his longtime rival, Morgan Tsvangirai, after a discredited, violent 2008 election.

The New York Times

Telegraph brass said it was an attempt to see how much desks are actually used for "environmental impact". Given the tenuous financial stability of most journalism outlets these days, it's quite possible the company just wants to downsize or get rid of some unused desks.

HuffPost

Since Mr Mahuad fixed the sucre at 25,000 to the dollar in January, Ecuador's devastated economy has achieved a tenuous and temporary stability.

The Economist

To Obama, by contrast, the Iraq war is exactly what it appears to be: a catastrophic error that is by no means redeemed by recent tenuous gains in stability.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation as having a "tenuous stability", consider the factors that threaten to disrupt it. Providing context will enhance the reader's understanding of the risks involved.

Common error

Avoid implying that a situation of "tenuous stability" is more resilient than it actually is. Acknowledge the inherent fragility and potential for collapse.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tenuous stability" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where the adjective "tenuous" modifies the noun "stability". As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is used to characterize situations where stability exists but is fragile and easily disrupted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tenuous stability" is a descriptive phrase used to characterize a situation where stability exists, but is weak and easily disrupted. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly found in news media, scientific and formal business contexts. When using "tenuous stability", consider its fragility and avoid overstating its resilience. Alternative phrases like "fragile stability" or "precarious stability" can be used to express similar but slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fragile stability

Replaces "tenuous" with "fragile", emphasizing the delicacy of the stability.

Precarious stability

Substitutes "tenuous" with "precarious", highlighting the risk of collapse.

Weak stability

Uses "weak" instead of "tenuous", directly indicating the strength of the stability.

Flimsy stability

Suggests that the stability lacks a solid foundation and is easily damaged.

Unstable equilibrium

Replaces "stability" with "equilibrium", indicating a balance that is easily disrupted.

Uncertain stability

Focuses on the lack of certainty regarding the stability's future.

Delicate balance

Shifts from "stability" to "balance", suggesting a situation requiring careful maintenance.

Marginal stability

Implies that the stability barely exists and could easily disappear.

Questionable stability

Emphasizes doubt about the existence or continuation of the stability.

Compromised stability

Indicates that the stability has been weakened or undermined by some factor.

FAQs

How can I use "tenuous stability" in a sentence?

You can use "tenuous stability" to describe situations where stability exists, but is fragile and easily disrupted. For example: "The country's "tenuous stability" was threatened by political unrest".

What are some alternatives to "tenuous stability"?

Alternatives include "fragile stability", "precarious stability", or "unstable equilibrium", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "tenuous stability" formal or informal?

"Tenuous stability" is suitable for both neutral and professional contexts, as it is commonly used in news reports, business analyses, and academic papers. Its register depends on overall tone of the sentence.

What makes "tenuous stability" different from "fragile stability"?

While both describe a weak state of stability, "tenuous" emphasizes the delicate and uncertain nature of the stability, while "fragile" emphasizes the ease with which it can be broken. The best alternative depends on the context.