destabilise
Throw off balance
Destabilise is the British spelling of destabilize—to undermine the stability of something, making it unsteady or prone to collapse.
Governments can be destabilised by economic crisis or foreign interference.
A relationship can be destabilised by mistrust.
The scandal destabilised the ruling coalition.
The word implies disruption of something previously secure or balanced.
Sudden structural failure
- fractureSplit in hard material
- weakenReduce in strength
- erodeDiminish through persistent friction
- undermineWeaken by stealth
compromise · deteriorate · crumble · disintegrate · rupture · foundation · integrity · framework
Abrupt seizure of power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
- rebellionDefiance of established power
mutiny · sedition · insurgency · revolution · subversion · uprising · unrest · agitation
Interrupt and disorder
- disorderAbsence of organization
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
- chaosComplete disorder and confusion
entropy · imbalance · disequilibrium · perturbation · turbulence · upheaval · cascade · ripple effect
Crack or estrangement
- discordLack of agreement
- tensionStretched or strained state
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- estrangementEmotional separation between people
alienation · divide · fracture · breakdown · rupture · distrust · betrayal · conflict
Sudden violent impact
- recessionProlonged economic decline
- inflationSustained price level increase
- devaluationLowering of currency worth
- volatilityRapid, unpredictable changeability
speculation · downturn · collapse · currency · markets · sanctions · austerity · debt
collapse
Sudden structural failure
undermine · compromise · deteriorate · crumble · disintegrate · rupture · foundation · integrity · framework · supports
coup
Abrupt seizure of power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
- regime changeReplacement of governing power
- insurrectionViolent uprising against authority
rebellion · mutiny · sedition · insurgency · revolution · subversion · uprising · unrest · agitation · provocation
disrupt
Interrupt and disorder
- disorderAbsence of organization
- dysfunctionAbnormal or unhealthy operation
- breakdownFailure or decomposition
chaos · entropy · imbalance · disequilibrium · perturbation · turbulence · upheaval · cascade · ripple effect · feedback loop
rift
Crack or estrangement
- discordLack of agreement
- tensionStretched or strained state
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
estrangement · alienation · divide · fracture · breakdown · rupture · distrust · betrayal · conflict · antagonism
crash
Sudden violent impact
- recessionProlonged economic decline
- inflationSustained price level increase
- devaluationLowering of currency worth
volatility · speculation · downturn · collapse · currency · markets · sanctions · austerity · debt · default
unsettle
Cause unease or anxiety
agitate · rattle · shake · perturb · disconcert · discompose · throw off · anxiety · paranoia · insecurity
destabilisestabilise
Make secure or constant
stabilize · steady · balance · equilibrate · settle
destabilisestrengthen
Make more robust
reinforce · secure · fortify · consolidate · bolster
destabilize, destabilizing, destabilized, destabilised, destabilising, destabilisation, destabilises, destabiliser