Spanish word

desestabilizar

Pronunciation

IPA/desestaβiliˈθaɾ/

Meaning

  • verbdestabilize

Example

La crisis política desestabilizó al país.

The political crisis destabilized the country.

Illustration for desestabilizar (destabilize)

More examples

Las protestas pueden desestabilizar el gobierno regional.

Protests can destabilize the regional government.

Core concept

A building leaning after its foundation cracks.

Common phrases

  • desestabilizar el gobierno

    destabilize the government

  • desestabilizar la economía

    destabilize the economy

  • desestabilizar a alguien

    destabilize someone

Similar words

perturbar: Interferes with mental calm or a quiet state, causing confusion or emotional upset.
alterar: Changes the usual state or properties of something, disrupting its original condition.
sacudir: Jolts an object or situation vigorously, producing rapid motion or sudden shock.
desorganizar: Scatters plans or items so that organization, order, or coordination are lost.

Definition in Spanish

Hacer que algo pierda el equilibrio o la firmeza, en sentido físico, institucional o psicológico.

Word origin

Formed by des- 'undo' plus estabilizar (from estable, from Latin stabilis) with the productive verb suffix -izar, meaning to make or become unstable.

Usage tips

  • It also appears pronominally as desestabilizarse to mean 'become destabilized', especially with institutions or people.

Other meanings

  • unsettleverb

Opposites

Related words

  • desestabilizacióndestabilizationnoun
  • desestabilizadodestabilizedadjective
  • desestabilizadordestabilizingadjective

Word lists with this word