OpenSynonym

wabbly

/ˈwæbli/

ADJECTIVE

1. Physically unstable or unsteady

Lacking firmness, balance, or stability, and likely to shake, sway, wobble, or collapse.

1.1. Objects, furniture, and structures

Used to describe physical objects, furniture, bridges, or structures that are poorly balanced, loosely constructed, or unstable and move when touched or subjected to pressure.

Synonyms

  • wobbly
  • rickety
  • rocky
  • shaky
  • unstable
  • unsteady
  • tottering
  • teetering
  • precarious
  • unsound

Antonyms

Examples

  • The old wooden bridge felt wabbly underfoot, causing some hesitation among the pedestrians.
  • The makeshift table was a bit wabbly, making it challenging to eat without spills.
  • Despite the sturdy appearance of the chair, it turned out to be quite wabbly when someone sat on it.

Related Words

1.2. Unsteady bodily movement and balance

Used to describe a person's legs, knees, or physical condition when they feel weak, shaky, or unable to maintain proper balance, especially after exhaustion or strenuous activity.

Synonyms

  • shaky
  • trembly
  • tremulous
  • quivery
  • groggy
  • dizzy
  • unsteady
  • tottery
  • staggery

Antonyms

Examples

  • As the exhausted hiker reached the summit, her knees became wabbly from the strenuous climb.
  • The toddler's first attempts at walking were adorable but wabbly, as he took tentative steps.

Related Words

1.3. Uncertain or fluctuating condition

Used figuratively to describe situations, conditions, or circumstances that are unpredictable, changeable, or lacking consistency and reliability.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • The company's financial position remained wabbly throughout the economic downturn.

Related Words

1.4. Hesitant and indecisive behavior

Used figuratively to describe someone who frequently changes opinions, hesitates, or struggles to make a firm decision or maintain a consistent position.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples

  • His wabbly position on the proposal made it difficult for the committee to reach an agreement.

Related Words

  • indecision
  • hesitation
  • ambivalence
  • uncertainty
  • dithering
  • equivocation

1.5. Shaking and trembling motion

Used to describe something that visibly quivers, shakes, vibrates, or moves irregularly, often because of physical disturbance, nervousness, or an unstable condition.

Synonyms

  • quivering
  • quivery
  • trembling
  • tremulous
  • shivering
  • shuddering
  • convulsive
  • pulsating
  • throbbing
  • aquiver
  • atremble

Antonyms

Examples

  • The wabbly movement of the old machinery suggested that one of its components was loose.

Related Words