Definition

In a way that cannot be trusted or depended on.

Example

The train arrived unreliably, causing many passengers to miss their connections.

Conversation

I heard that train schedules can be quite unreliably changed.

Yeah, I’ve had to wait for hours because of that.

It makes planning trips so stressful when they run unreliably.

Totally! I always check for updates before heading out.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Unreliably → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "rely" (from Latin "religere", meaning to bind or trust) and "-ably" (meaning in a manner). The word "unreliably" means in a manner that is not trustworthy or dependable.

Memory Tip

Think of 'not' ('un-') being added to 'rely' which means to trust, and the '-ably' shows how something is done. This helps you remember that 'unreliably' means not being trustworthy.

Visually Confused Words