destabilizing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "destabilizing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that causes instability or disruption in a system, situation, or environment. Example: "The sudden changes in leadership were destabilizing for the organization, leading to confusion among employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

TODAY's recommended economics writing:I'm going to quote Dani Rodrik quoting...you'll see A particularly destabilizing aspect [during the crisis] was the tendency of fears about the soundness of banks and expectations of exchange-rate devaluations to reinforce each other.

The Economist

In her followup paper, being published in the Journal of Economic Perspectives, Ms Dynan in essence acknowledges this, without recanting her earlier work:The greater access to credit that has resulted from financial innovation has had both stabilizing and destabilizing effects on households.

The Economist

A high-level Commonwealth mission went to South Africa in 1986 in an unsuccessful effort to persuade the government to suspend its military actions in the townships, release political prisoners, and stop destabilizing neighbouring countries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Meanwhile, the government forged an unexpected alliance with Rwanda to conduct a joint military operation in the DRC's North Kivu province to eliminate the influence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR); the FDLR had been a major factor in destabilizing the area for 12 years.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The excess production of protein molecules disrupts the cellular process normally under their control, thereby destabilizing the delicate balance of the mechanisms of cell growth.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Croatian purge had a further effect of destabilizing Tito's rule in Yugoslavia's most industrially advanced republic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Convection can be initiated when the Sun heats a localized area of the ground, destabilizing the near-surface air.

Encyclopedia Britannica

During the 1990s the INA was responsible for attacks inside Iraq aimed at destabilizing Ṣaddām's regime, including a failed CIA-sponsored coup in 1996.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At the same time, though, China generally supported the U.S. position that Iran's nuclear ambitions were politically destabilizing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Indeed, his undoubted talents for encouraging settlement-building and cultivating diplomatic animosity have proved a destabilizing force, both for international politics and the state of Israel itself.

Independent

"To the contrary, it enables destabilizing the situation".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "destabilizing", clearly identify what is being destabilized to provide context and impact. For example, instead of saying 'the situation is destabilizing', specify 'the economic reforms are destabilizing the region's financial markets'.

Common error

Avoid using "destabilizing" as a vague descriptor. Instead of saying 'the policy had a destabilizing effect', quantify the effect by specifying which systems or groups were negatively impacted and how.

Linguistic Context

The word "destabilizing" functions primarily as a verb in its present participle form, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun. This grammatical function is supported by Ludwig's examples, where "destabilizing" describes aspects or forces that disrupt stability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

32%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Unknown/unmatched sources

6%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "destabilizing" functions as a verb in its present participle form, often modifying nouns to describe forces that undermine stability. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science. While versatile, it's crucial to use "destabilizing" with clear context, specifying what exactly is being destabilized, to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "causing instability" or "undermining stability" can offer nuanced replacements depending on the intended meaning. By avoiding overuse in broad statements and ensuring clear contextual grounding, you can leverage "destabilizing" to effectively convey the disruption or weakening of established systems or conditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

causing instability

This alternative directly states the effect of making something unstable.

disrupting equilibrium

Focuses on the disruption of a balanced state.

undermining stability

Emphasizes the weakening of a stable condition.

creating turbulence

Suggests the generation of chaotic or unsettled conditions.

fostering unrest

Highlights the promotion of a state of disturbance or agitation.

provoking chaos

Focuses on the act of inciting disorder and confusion.

threatening order

Emphasizes the danger posed to established systems.

weakening foundations

Highlights the reduction of the strength of underlying structures.

creating uncertainty

Focuses on the induction of doubt and unpredictability.

aggravating tensions

Emphasizes the intensification of strained relationships or conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "destabilizing" in a sentence?

You can use "destabilizing" to describe something that is causing instability. For example: "The new regulations are "destabilizing" the market."

What's a good alternative to "destabilizing"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "disruptive", "undermining", or "threatening".

What is the difference between "destabilizing" and "disruptive"?

"Destabilizing" implies a loss of stability or equilibrium, while "disruptive" suggests a disturbance or interruption of the normal course of events. The terms can overlap, but destabilizing specifically refers to a weakening of a stable state.

Is it correct to say something is "destabilizing"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Destabilizing" is the present participle of the verb destabilize and is used to describe something that is in the process of causing instability.