imbalance

noun

im·​bal·​ance (ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)s 

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

(ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)st 

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

The most curious aspect of Webb’s first night in the play-calling seat was Denver’s pass-run imbalance when the game was still to be decided. — Nick Kosmider, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

That imbalance, if exploited with sufficient force, would produce concessions on trade flows, investment, and the rules governing global competition. — Jonas Nahm, Foreign Affairs, 14 Sep. 2026

Last year, India had urged members at the BRICS summit to address their trade imbalances with New Delhi, and market access to address that distortion is expected to be on the agenda this year. — Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2026

While the supply-demand imbalance is in the background, the recent surge in copper prices is largely attributable to the tariff uncertainty, analysts say. — John Towfighi, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for imbalance

• rebalance
• unbalance
• balance
• valance
• vallance
• counterbalance
• overbalance

Kids Definition

imbalance

noun

im·​bal·​ance (ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s 

: the state of being out of balance or out of proportion

Medical Definition

imbalance

noun

im·​bal·​ance (ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s 

: 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 results

—E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu

c

: a disproportion between the number of males and females in a population

imbalanced

-ən(t)st 

adjective