The word unreliable describes someone or something that cannot be depended upon to perform as expected or to be consistent. An unreliable person often fails to keep promises, meet deadlines, or deliver results, while an unreliable object, system, or source may frequently malfunction or provide incorrect information. This term is widely used in professional, personal, and technical contexts to highlight the lack of trustworthiness or stability in someone or something. It emphasizes unpredictability, inconsistency, and a risk of failure, urging caution when relying on such entities.
Ten Sentences Using “Unreliable”
- The car’s engine is unreliable, breaking down whenever I need it most.
- Her habit of showing up late made her seem unreliable to her colleagues.
- Depending on unreliable weather forecasts can ruin your outdoor plans.
- He is a talented writer, but his unreliable work ethic prevents him from meeting deadlines.
- An unreliable internet connection made it difficult to attend the virtual meeting.
- The unreliable witness kept changing his story, making the court doubt his testimony.
- Old equipment becomes unreliable over time, leading to frequent malfunctions.
- The team lost because of their goalkeeper’s unreliable performance during crucial moments.
- The information on the website turned out to be unreliable, misleading many users.
- His promises were always unreliable, so people eventually stopped believing him.
Synonyms for “Unreliable”
- Undependable
- Inconsistent
- Erratic
- Untrustworthy
- Irresponsible
- Fickle
- Capricious
- Shaky
- Faulty
- Flaky
Antonyms for “Unreliable”
- Reliable
- Dependable
- Trustworthy
- Consistent
- Steady
- Predictable
- Faithful
- Credible
- Stable
- Solid
Phrasal Verbs for “Unreliable”
- Let down (to disappoint someone by being unreliable)
- Fall through (to fail to happen as planned due to unreliability)
- Back out (to withdraw from a promise or agreement, showing unreliable behavior)
- Flake out (to cancel plans or commitments unexpectedly, acting unreliable)
- Give up on (to stop depending on someone because they are unreliable)
- Pull out of (to abandon a commitment, reflecting unreliable tendencies)
Idiomatic Expressions for “Unreliable”
- A fair-weather friend: Someone who is unreliable and only around during good times.
- On shaky ground: Being unstable or unreliable.
- A loose cannon: Someone unpredictable and unreliable, often causing problems.
- Flake out on someone: To cancel plans or commitments, showing unreliable behavior.
- All talk and no action: Someone who promises much but is too unreliable to deliver.
- Here today, gone tomorrow: Something or someone inconsistent and unreliable.
- Not worth a dime: Describing something or someone as useless and unreliable.
