undependable
/'ʌndi'pendəbl/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not reliable or trustworthy: Describes a person, thing, or source of information that cannot be consistently counted on to perform correctly, be accurate, or be present when needed.
- Prone to failure or error: Indicates something that is likely to fail, make mistakes, or provide misleading results.
Usage
- The adjective "undependable" is used to describe a lack of reliability. It is often applied to people, machines, systems, information, or methods.
- It typically precedes a noun (e.g., an undependable source) or follows a linking verb like "is," "was," or "seems" (e.g., The data seems undependable).
Examples
- Describing a person:
- He is an undependable employee because he is often late and misses deadlines.
- Describing a thing or system:
- The old car became increasingly undependable, breaking down frequently.
- An undependable internet connection makes remote work very difficult.
- Describing information:
- The witness provided an undependable account of the events.
- That website is known for posting undependable news.
Advanced Usage
- "proved to be undependable": Emphasizes that something or someone has demonstrated unreliability through experience.
- The new software proved to be undependable and was quickly replaced.
- "inherently undependable": Suggests that the unreliability is a fundamental, built-in characteristic.
- The methodology was inherently undependable, leading to inconsistent results.
Variants and Related Words
- Undependability (noun): The quality of being undependable.
- The undependability of the public transport system is a major complaint.
- Dependable (adjective): The direct antonym, meaning reliable and trustworthy.
- She is our most dependable team member.
Synonyms
- Unreliable: The most common and direct synonym.
- Untrustworthy: Often implies a deliberate or moral failing in a person.
- Unpredictable: Suggests inconsistency, but not always a lack of trustworthiness.
- Fallible: Capable of making mistakes, but often used for people or systems known to have flaws.
Antonyms
- Dependable
- Reliable
- Trustworthy
- Steadfast
Related Phrases
- Not to be counted on: A phrase with a similar meaning to "undependable."
- He's nice, but he's not to be counted on in a crisis.
- Let (someone) down: A phrasal verb describing the action of an undependable person.
- I need someone who won't let me down at the last minute.
Adjective
- liable to be erroneous or misleading
- an undependable generalization
- not worthy of reliance or trust
- in the early 1950s computers were large and expensive and unreliable
- an undependable assistant
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