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unreliable

Someone unreliable can't be trusted to do something. Things can be unreliable too, like a bike with a wobbly wheel.

The word "rely" is a clue to what unreliable means. When you can rely on something, you can count in it — it's reliable. On the other hand, you'd better not count on an unreliable person. People can be unreliable because they're dishonest, always late, bad at their job, or just inconsistent. Things can be unreliable because they're broken or old. A train schedule can be unreliable if the trains are never on time. Unfortunately, there's a lot of stuff in life that's unreliable, so be careful.

DEFINITIONS OF: unreliable

1

adj not worthy of reliance or trust

“in the early 1950s computers were large and expensive and unreliable
Synonyms:
undependable
erratic, temperamental
likely to perform unpredictably
uncertain
not consistent or dependable
unsound
of e.g. advice
untrustworthy, untrusty
not worthy of trust or belief
Antonyms:
dependable, reliable
worthy of reliance or trust
certain, sure
reliable in operation or effect
tested, time-tested, tried, tried and true
tested and proved to be reliable
undeviating
used of values and principles; not subject to change; steady
trustworthy, trusty
worthy of trust or belief
show more antonyms...

adj liable to be erroneous or misleading

Synonyms:
undependable
fallible
likely to fail or make errors

adj dangerously unstable and unpredictable

“an unreliable trestle”
Synonyms:
treacherous
dangerous, unsafe
involving or causing danger or risk; liable to hurt or harm

adj lacking a sense of responsibility

Synonyms
irresponsible
showing lack of care for consequences
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