mercurial Definition
- 1subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind
- 2relating to the planet Mercury
Using mercurial: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mercurial" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
His mercurial temperament made it difficult to work with him.
Example
The stock market can be mercurial and hard to predict.
Example
She has a mercurial personality that keeps people on their toes.
mercurial Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for mercurial
Antonyms for mercurial
- steady
- predictable
- constant
Phrases with mercurial
mercurial rise/fall
a sudden and significant increase or decrease in something, such as stock prices or popularity
Example
The band's mercurial rise to fame was unexpected.
Example
Her mercurial nature made it hard for others to know how to interact with her.
the tendency to have sudden and unpredictable changes in mood or behavior
Example
His mercurial temperament made it hard for his coworkers to know how to approach him.
Origins of mercurial
from Latin 'mercurialis', meaning 'of or pertaining to the god Mercury'
Summary: mercurial in Brief
The term 'mercurial' [mərˈkjʊriəl] refers to a person or thing that is subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind. It can also relate to the planet Mercury. Examples include 'His mercurial temperament made it difficult to work with him.' and 'The stock market can be mercurial and hard to predict.'