mercurial
Adjective
Medium difficulty
What does “mercurial” mean?
adjective.(of a person) subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
SAT Usage
this term often appears in passages discussing character traits, psychology, or interpersonal relationships. It emphasizes the unpredictability and volatility of a person's emotions or decisions, suggesting a deeper complexity than simply being changeable, and it contrasts with terms like "steady" or "stable," which imply consistency and reliability.
Common Confusions
Mercurial implies sudden and unpredictable changes in mood, while volatile usually suggests a tendency to explode or become dangerous, often in a more aggressive or intense manner.
Do not choose mercurial if the context emphasizes stability or consistency rather than sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
Example Sentences
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His mercurial temper made working with him very unpredictable.