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.
Understanding how in-game currency flows in and out of player wallets can reveal imbalances. Pawan Gaargi, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025 This creates a power imbalance that can have devastating consequences. Steven Delco, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025 China refuses to rule out the use of force to unify the island with the mainland, and a widening hard power imbalance across the Taiwan Strait is fueling concerns that Beijing could soon compel Taipei with the threat of a hot war. John Feng, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025 Instead of tackling Social Security's structural imbalances, Congress chose to increase benefits for a vocal minority--accelerating trust fund insolvency. Arkansas Online, 19 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“Imbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imbalance. Accessed 5 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

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