Talk:destabilize

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Latest comment: 9 years ago by Jusjih in topic destabilize
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Deletion discussion[edit]

The following information has failed Wiktionary's deletion process.

It should not be re-entered without careful consideration.


destabilize[edit]

rfd-sense: "To undermine a government, especially by means of subversion or terrorism." I think either this is just wrong, or it's a specific example of 'to rendered unstable' the first definition. Mglovesfun (talk) 10:59, 18 October 2013 (UTC)Reply

This is an overspecific subsense of the first sense. Delete. — Ungoliant (Falai) 12:54, 18 October 2013 (UTC)Reply
A "destabilized" government (ie, one no longer carrying out all of its functions effectively over its nominal jurisdiction) could be "stable" in most normal senses of the word, but at a low level of functioning. The term can mean something like "render ineffectual". This seems to me to be the equivalent for a verb of a misnomer. The misnomer principle suggests that some sense specific to governments ought to be in our definition. Even MWOnline, has an "especially" for governments and has adjusted the definition to make sure it includes governments. Keep until replaced by superior definition. DCDuring TALK 03:13, 19 October 2013 (UTC)Reply
I'm not convinced, could you perhaps find some citations where the 'render unstable' definition wouldn't work? Mglovesfun (talk) 20:01, 19 October 2013 (UTC)Reply
Deleted the questioned sense as the sense is already good enough.--Jusjih (talk) 07:05, 13 August 2014 (UTC)Reply