unsteadily

unsteadily — adverb

1. showing poor balance when walking or standing, so that you seem likely to fall t

1.adverbB2
Definition

showing poor balance when walking or standing, so that you seem likely to fall to one side.

Example

Amihan stood up unsteadily after the long bus ride and grabbed the seat in front of her.

verb phrase: stand up unsteadily after a physical strain

The toddler took a few steps unsteadily before falling onto the soft carpet with a laugh.

verb phrase: take steps unsteadily (learning to walk)

Common collocations
  • walk unsteadily
  • stand up unsteadily
  • rise unsteadily
  • climb unsteadily
  • step unsteadily
  • get up unsteadily
Synonyms
  • shakily

    more specific to trembling or quivering movements; slightly less common than 'unsteadily'.

  • falteringly

    suggests hesitation and loss of confidence in each step, not just poor balance.

  • totteringly

    highly specific to the swaying motion of someone about to fall; less common in everyday speech.

Antonyms
  • steadily

    direct opposite; moving with full balance and control.

  • firmly

    with strong, sure steps; no wobble at all.

Grammar Patterns

verb + unsteadily

unsteadily + verb

Usage Note

Almost always modifies verbs of movement (walk, stand, rise, climb, step). The subject is typically a person, an animal, or a personified creature whose balance is temporarily or permanently impaired.

Common Mistakes

He drove unsteadily home after one beer.
He drove home after one beer, swerving slightly.
'unsteadily' is unusual for vehicle movement; use 'erratically' or 'swerving' instead.
The table was placed unsteadily on the floor.
The table wobbled on the uneven floor.
'unsteadily' describes a person's movement, not an object's position.

2. with a trembling or shaking quality that is not even or controlled — used for a

2.adverbB2
Definition

with a trembling or shaking quality that is not even or controlled — used for a voice, a hand, a flame, or a mechanical action that lacks smoothness.

Example

Nkechi spoke unsteadily into the microphone, her hands trembling with nerves.

verb + unsteadily: speak unsteadily (voice + hands)

The candle flame danced unsteadily in the breeze that came through the open window.

inanimate subject: flame + verb + unsteadily

Common collocations
  • speak unsteadily
  • sing unsteadily
  • write unsteadily
  • hold unsteadily
  • lift unsteadily
  • unsteadily written
Synonyms
  • tremulously

    more formal; emphasises visible trembling, especially of the voice or hands.

  • shakily

    common alternative; slightly less precise about the kind of movement.

  • wobblingly

    informal; suggests a side-to-side motion rather than a fine tremor.

Antonyms
  • smoothly

    without any shake or interruption; the direct opposite for voice or hand motion.

  • steadily

    with calm, even control; no trembling.

Grammar Patterns

verb + unsteadily

unsteadily + verb

unsteadily + past participle

Usage Note

Often pairs with verbs involving the hands (write, hold, lift, pour) or the voice (speak, sing, say). Can also apply to a light source or mechanical motion. Distinguish from sense 1: here the person may be standing still — the unsteadiness is localised to a body part or an instrument, not the whole body's balance.

Common Mistakes

He thought unsteadily about the problem.
He thought uncertainly about the problem.
'unsteadily' describes physical or sensory motion, not mental processes.
The economy recovered unsteadily.
(works for sense 3, not sense 2)
'unsteadily' for a figurative situation belongs to sense 3, not the physical-trembling sense.

3. shifting between different states or directions so often that the outcome cannot

3.adverbC1
Definition

shifting between different states or directions so often that the outcome cannot be relied on — used for economies, political processes, or health recoveries.

Example

The local economy grew unsteadily after the factory closed, with several false starts.

figurative: economy + verb + unsteadily for unreliable growth

Peace talks between the two sides progressed unsteadily, often interrupted by fresh arguments.

figurative: talks + progressed unsteadily

Common collocations
  • grow unsteadily
  • progress unsteadily
  • recover unsteadily
  • climb unsteadily
  • move unsteadily (figurative)
  • advance unsteadily
Synonyms
  • erratically

    more common for economic or mechanical patterns; suggests unpredictable changes.

  • fitfully

    implies frequent stops and starts; good for recovery or progress.

  • unevenly

    emphasises a lack of consistency rather than direction; neutral in register.

Antonyms
  • steadily

    with consistent, reliable progress in one direction.

  • smoothly

    without obstacles or interruptions.

  • predictably

    in a way that can be anticipated with confidence.

Grammar Patterns

verb + unsteadily

unsteadily + verb

Usage Note

Exclusively figurative. The subject is always an abstract noun — economy, progress, recovery, relationship, peace, career. Unlike senses 1 and 2, there is no physical trembling or loss of balance; the image is of a situation that cannot maintain a steady direction.

Common Mistakes

The weather turned unsteadily from sunny to rainy.
The weather turned from sunny to rainy very suddenly.
'unsteadily' describes a long-term unreliable pattern, not a single change in weather.
She walked unsteadily in her high heels.
(this belongs to sense 1, physical balance)
avoid confusing figurative situations with physical walking scenarios.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four describe movement that lacks full physical control, but they differ in the kind of weakness they suggest. 'Unsteadily' is the broadest term — it covers any loss of balance or coordination, from a dizzy person standing up to a toddler learning to walk. 'Shakily' emphasises trembling or quivering rather than side-to-side sway; a person can speak shakily or write shakily while standing still. 'Falteringly' adds hesitation — each step or word is uncertain, as if the person doubts their own next move. 'Totteringly' is the most specific and the rarest: it describes the particular swaying motion of someone who is about to fall, like a baby deer on new legs. Use 'unsteadily' for general balance problems, 'shakily' for trembling body parts, and 'falteringly' when hesitation is as noticeable as the physical weakness.

unsteadily ↗shakily ↗falteringlytotteringly

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • rather unsteadily
  • very unsteadily
  • somewhat unsteadily
  • a little unsteadily

Phrases

  • move unsteadily
  • walk unsteadily
  • speak unsteadily
  • progress unsteadily
  • rise unsteadily

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed by adding the adverb suffix '-ily' (a variant of '-ly') to the adjective 'unsteady'. 'Unsteady' itself was formed in the 16th century by attaching the negative prefix 'un-' to 'steady', which came from Middle English 'stedi' — itself from Old English 'stede' meaning 'place, position, or standing'. The core image has always been about not staying firmly in one place, whether physically or figuratively.