unreliable
Can't be trusted
Unreliable describes someone or something you can't depend on.
An unreliable narrator in fiction may deceive or misperceive.
An unreliable car breaks down frequently.
An unreliable source provides information of questionable accuracy.
The word suggests inconsistency—what worked once may not work again: He's proven unreliable when it comes to keeping promises.
Dangerously insecure
- unstableProne to sudden change
- riskyInvolving possible harm
- hazardousLikely to cause injury
- uncertainNot firmly known
insecure · vulnerable · dicey · perilous · chancy · shaky · tenuous · touch-and-go
Lacking regularity or consistency
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- variableProne to fluctuation
- fickleErratically disloyal in affection
irregular · uneven · patchy · hit-or-miss · fluctuating · changeable · capricious · mercurial
Crumbly or unreliable
- undependableNot consistently trustworthy
- irresponsibleLacking sense of duty
- dishonestInclined to deceive
- shiftySeeming dishonest or evasive
dodgy · slippery · treacherous · deceitful · two-faced · disloyal · faithless · unfaithful
Failure to operate properly
- glitchMinor system fault
- defectInherent imperfection or fault
- bugCrawling creature or defect
- errorFault in communication
breakdown · failure · crash · dysfunction · fault · short-circuit · misfire · hiccup
Sense of unease about motives
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- mistrustLack of faith
- distrustAbsence of confidence
- warinessCautious distrust
misgivings · questionable · dubious · suspect · doubtful · incredulity · disbelief · uncertainty
Weak and easily damaged
- cheapLow in price
- inferiorOf lower rank
- substandardBelow required quality
- second-rateBelow acceptable standards
jerry-built · low-grade · tacky · trashy · gimcrack · rickety · ramshackle · junky
precarious
Dangerously insecure
uncertain · insecure · vulnerable · dicey · perilous · chancy · shaky · tenuous · touch-and-go · rocky
erratic
Lacking regularity or consistency
- unpredictableCannot be anticipated
- sporadicOccurring irregularly, infrequently
- variableProne to fluctuation
fickle · irregular · uneven · patchy · hit-or-miss · fluctuating · changeable · capricious · mercurial · volatile
flaky
Crumbly or unreliable
- undependableNot consistently trustworthy
- irresponsibleLacking sense of duty
- dishonestInclined to deceive
shifty · dodgy · slippery · treacherous · deceitful · two-faced · disloyal · faithless · unfaithful · backstabbing
malfunction
Failure to operate properly
error · breakdown · failure · crash · dysfunction · fault · short-circuit · misfire · hiccup · disruption
suspicion
Sense of unease about motives
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- mistrustLack of faith
- distrustAbsence of confidence
wariness · misgivings · questionable · dubious · suspect · doubtful · incredulity · disbelief · uncertainty · cynicism
flimsy
Weak and easily damaged
- cheapLow in price
- inferiorOf lower rank
- substandardBelow required quality
second-rate · jerry-built · low-grade · tacky · trashy · gimcrack · rickety · ramshackle · junky · low-quality
- Inconsistencywishy-washy, flip-flop, fickle, unpredictable, erratic
- unpredictableunpredictable, uncertain, erratic, inconsistent, variable
- Fact-checkingfact check, verify, debunk, false claim, misinformation
- commitment levelscommitted, dedicated, devoted, loyal, faithful
- malfunctionsbroken, defective, glitch, faulty, error
- nonfunctionalbroken, malfunctioning, inoperative, out of order, nonfunctional
unreliablereliable
Consistently performing as expected
dependable · steady · consistent · trusty · steadfast
- unreliable memory
- unreliable narratorsStorytellers whose credibility falters
unreliable narrators, unreliability, unreliably, unreliable narrator