imbalance

noun

im·​bal·​ance (ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)s How to pronounce imbalance (audio)
plural imbalances
: lack of balance : the state of being out of equilibrium or out of proportion
a structural imbalance
a chemical imbalance in the brain
"… The talks are aimed at reducing the trade imbalance … between the world`s two largest economic powers. …"Norah O'Donnell
A key element of the definition of bullying is a power imbalance that enables the abusive behavior.Patricia Vowinkel
Some have suffered an imbalance of gait known as ataxia.Lawrence K. Altman
imbalanced adjective

Examples of imbalance in a Sentence

Her depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. the problem of racial imbalance in schools
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Even as prices surged, production remained sluggish, leading to persistent market imbalances. Frank Holmes, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 The letters to the EU and Mexico come in the midst of an on-and-off Trump threat to impose tariffs on countries and right an imbalance in trade. Sam McNeil, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025 Yet analysts see tariff revenues as far from adequate to address the United States’ fiscal imbalances, and say the tariffs themselves represent a drag on U.S. growth. Garrett Haake, NBC news, 10 July 2025 Like in the rest of the Sunshine State, there is currently an imbalance between buyers and sellers in Cape Coral. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for imbalance

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of imbalance was circa 1890

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imbalance. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

imbalance

noun
im·​bal·​ance (ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s How to pronounce imbalance (audio)
: the state of being out of balance or out of proportion

Medical Definition

imbalance

noun
im·​bal·​ance (ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s How to pronounce imbalance (audio)
: lack of balance : the state of being out of equilibrium or out of proportion: as
a
: loss of parallel relation between the optical axes of the eyes caused by faulty action of the extrinsic muscles and often resulting in diplopia
b
: absence of biological equilibrium
a vitamin imbalance
if the ductus arteriosus fails to close, a circulatory imbalance resultsE. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu
c
: a disproportion between the number of males and females in a population
imbalanced adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on imbalance

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!