disequilibrium

noun

dis·equi·lib·ri·um | \ (ˌ)dis-ˌē-kwə-ˈli-brē-əm

, -ˌe-kwə-\

Definition of disequilibrium

: loss or lack of equilibrium

Examples of disequilibrium in a Sentence

The condition is caused by a disequilibrium in the brain's chemistry.

Recent Examples on the Web

That disequilibrium has, in turn, been dogged by a creeping tension, and the new frontier narrative has been accompanied by one of looming conflict, even the possibility of a new Cold War. — Neil Shea, National Geographic, "A thawing Arctic is heating up a new Cold War," 21 Aug. 2019 The disequilibrium in Arctic approaches has worried some observers and led to news headlines that regularly describe the Arctic as a kind of Wild West, or as a frigid theater where nations will square off in the next Cold War. — Neil Shea, National Geographic, "Scenes from the new Cold War unfolding at the top of the world," 8 May 2019 Biochemists have tended to favor an alternative proposal, that a chance occurrence of prebiotic chemistry triggered an initial disequilibrium. — Quanta Magazine, "New Twist Found in the Story of Life’s Start," 26 Nov. 2014 Even happy events—going off to college, the birth of a child—can throw a system into a state of disequilibrium. — Elizabeth Bernstein, WSJ, "Here’s When Family Therapy Can Help," 9 July 2018 Roger Bootle, founder of Capital Economics, says the next five to 10 years will be disequilibrium on steroids. — Bloomberg.com, "China Isn’t Manipulating Currency, Commerce Secretary Ross Says," 12 May 2017 About 70 diplomats were evaluated for symptoms ranging from hearing loss, tinnitus, disequilibrium, headaches, facial and abdominal pain, memory and sleep disorders, concussions and nausea. — Nora Gámez Torres And Mimi Whitefield, miamiherald, "Tillerson to weigh in soon on acoustic events in Havana | Miami Herald," 8 Jan. 2018 But the practices made possible by the post-1970 rules have contributed to institutional disequilibrium, destabilizing the Constitution’s design by inciting a dangerous expansion of presidential power. — George Will, Twin Cities, "George Will: Filibuster? Make it more taxing for all," 30 Mar. 2017 But the practices made possible by the post-1970 rules have contributed to institutional disequilibrium, destabilizing the Constitution’s design by inciting a dangerous expansion of presidential power. — George F. Will, The Mercury News, "Will: Senate should end filibuster’s power of obstruction," 30 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'disequilibrium.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.