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

Imagine the imbalance in media money paid for the Dallas Cowboys home package relative to that of the Jacksonville Jaguars or Cincinnati Bengals. —Eben Novy-Williams, Sportico.com, 26 Sep. 2025

According to scholar Nadia Margolis, the key to Christine’s success with her various projects lay in her acute awareness of existing in a men’s world with a dramatically unfair power imbalance. —Emily Zarevich, JSTOR Daily, 23 Sep. 2025

Although trained to diagnose, Casey prefers to avoid rigid labels and instead identifies the root of imbalance psycho-individually, helping clients break free from limitations and constraints to step into deeper fulfillment, accountability, and higher consciousness. —Matt Emma, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025

This enlargement can be caused by several conditions, including a hormonal imbalance, lifestyle choices, underlying health conditions, drug use, and prescription medications. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 21 Sep. 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