Mercurial… the meaning

ADJECTIVE

• 1Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.

  ‘his mercurial temperament’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Okada projected the mercurial shift of moods in Beethoven’s Fantasie Op 77 with resonant sonority.’
  • ‘He is mercurial, unpredictable and headstrong.’
  • ‘Could it be my mercurial temper, causing many rash actions or hurtful, wicked comments?’
  • ‘One of the most talented and versatile Scottish performers, McKidd is mesmerising as Frankie, capturing all the mercurial moods of a man who can switch from sentimentality to aggression at the flick of a switchblade.’
  • ‘To blow off those dear friends who’ve put up with your mercurial moods for long is just plain cruel and thoughtless, so start returning those calls and those emails.’
  • ‘Their awkwardness, overextended maturity, mercurial temperaments, and easy companionship were all spot on.’
  • ‘Ms Short is notorious for her outspoken comments and her mercurial temperament.’
  • ‘Nor does she depict adolescence as a period of mental instability, characterized by mercurial moods and impulsive, self-gratifying actions.’