Unreliable: meaning, definitions and examples

❌

Add to dictionary

unreliable

[ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbəl ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in describing a person or source of information

Not able to be relied upon or trusted.

Synonyms

undependable, unfaithful, unpredictable, untrustworthy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
unreliable	When referring to a person, service, or object that consistently fails to meet expectations or perform its duties. The internet connection at this café is unreliable. He is an unreliable friend; he always cancels plans at the last minute.
untrustworthy	Used for someone who cannot be trusted due to a history of lying, deceit, or failure to keep promises. This word often has a negative connotation. He is untrustworthy and has broken many promises. Because of his untrustworthy behavior, no one wants to do business with him.
undependable	Often used to describe people or systems that cannot be relied upon for consistent performance or support. The car is undependable, breaking down frequently during long trips. His undependable nature makes it hard to count on him for anything important.
unpredictable	Describes people, situations, or things that are difficult to foresee or anticipate because they change frequently. The weather in this region is highly unpredictable. Her moods are unpredictable; you never know how she'll react.
unfaithful	Primarily used in the context of romantic relationships to describe someone who cheats or is disloyal. She discovered that her husband was unfaithful. An unfaithful partner can seriously damage the trust in a relationship.

Examples of usage

He was known for being unreliable, always showing up late.
The witness was deemed unreliable due to conflicting statements.
She had a reputation for being unreliable in keeping secrets.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The term 'unreliable' is formed by adding the prefix 'un-' to 'reliable', which derives from the Latin word 'reliabilis', meaning 'worthy of trust'.
Its first known use in English dates back to the 19th century, reflecting growing concerns about trust and accountability in various fields.

Psychology

People often perceive individuals as 'unreliable' based on past behavior, affecting their relationships and trust levels.
Cognitive dissonance plays a role; when someone is labeled as unreliable, others may look for evidence supporting that idea, reinforcing it over time.

Technology

In software engineering, an 'unreliable' application may crash or produce errors, leading developers to prioritize 'reliability' during the design process.
With the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), ensuring devices are 'reliable' has become crucial, as users depend on them for daily tasks.

Literature

Many authors employ 'unreliable narrators' to create suspense and twist plots, leading readers to question the truth of the story.
Classic novels like 'The Catcher in the Rye' feature protagonists who are perceived as 'unreliable', inviting deeper analysis of their perspectives.

Pop Culture

In films and TV shows, clearly 'unreliable' characters often heighten tension, making viewers unsure which side to root for.
Reality shows sometimes highlight 'unreliable' participants for dramatic effect, as their unpredictable behavior captivates audiences.

Translations

Translations of the word "unreliable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 não confiável

🇮🇳 अविश्वसनीय

🇩🇪 unzuverlässig

🇮🇩 tidak dapat diandalkan

🇺🇦 ненадійний

🇵🇱 niesolidny

🇯🇵 信頼できない

🇫🇷 peu fiable

🇪🇸 poco fiable

🇹🇷 güvenilmez

🇰🇷 신뢰할 수 없는

🇸🇦 غير موثوق

🇨🇿 nespolehlivý

🇸🇰 nespoľahlivý

🇨🇳 不可靠的

🇸🇮 nezanesljiv

🇮🇸 óáreiðanlegur

🇰🇿 сенімсіз

🇬🇪 არასანდო

🇦🇿 etibarsız

🇲🇽 poco fiable

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,077, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
11074 retinal
11075 educating
11076 chilled
11077 unreliable
11078 gardening
11079 concurrently
11080 packaged
...