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

Do a Soil Test Plant experts recommend testing garden soil at least once every 3 years to make sure the soil hasn’t become nutrient-deficient or developed a pH imbalance that may interfere with plant growth. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025

Jealousy, competition or an imbalance of power could be brewing beneath the surface. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

But the plan also reveals Beijing’s reluctance to depart from a formula that has yielded growth at the cost of imbalances that have hurt many households across the vast country. —Shaoyu Yuan, The Conversation, 5 Nov. 2025

Such a reading of the law at the center of the case could provide Trump an opening -- along with other tariffs that have not been challenged in court -- to continue his global-trotting mission to reshape trade imbalances, even if the high court curtails his broad tariff power. —Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 5 Nov. 2025

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