balance

balance

verb

Definition of BALANCE

1

to make equal in amount, degree, or status <tried to balance the total amount of money spent on gifts for each child>

Synonyms balance, equate, even, level

Related Words equilibrate, equipoise; accommodate, adjust, compensate, fit; counterbalance; homogenize, normalize, regularize, standardize; democratize

Near Antonyms disequilibrate

2

to show uncertainty about the right course of action <his tendency to balance and waffle on certain hot-button issues may hurt him in the general election>

Synonyms balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, waver, wobble (also wabble)

Related Words haw, hem; dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait; back down, chicken (out); consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh; oscillate, sway; equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle

Near Antonyms decide; budge, stir; advance, continue

Antonyms dive (in), plunge (in)

3

to give what is owed for <she had to balance her account with the video store before being allowed to rent more movies>

Synonyms ante up, balance, clear, discharge, foot, liquidate, meet, pay off, pay up, pony up, quit, recompense, settle, spring (for), stand

Antonyms repudiate