unbalanced

adjective

un·​bal·​anced ˌən-ˈba-lən(t)st 

: not balanced: such as

a

: not in equilibrium

b

: mentally disordered

—not used technically

c

: not adjusted so as to make credits equal to debits

an unbalanced account

Synonyms of unbalanced

• unstable

Examples of unbalanced in a Sentence

He's been eating an unbalanced diet.

horrific crimes that obviously were committed by a very unbalanced person

Recent Examples on the Web

The result is a system that is increasingly incoherent and unbalanced. — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 18 June 2026

In most cases, these insects feed on unbalanced diets, such as blood, plant sap, and grain, which tend to lack essential nutrients such as amino acids and vitamins that the endosymbiont provides. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 June 2026

This isn't just about attempting to change the color of the blooms; unbalanced soil (too acidic or too alkaline) can cause the flowers to turn brown. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 June 2026

Choosing the wrong rug size or layout can make a room feel awkward and unbalanced. — Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unbalanced

• counterbalanced
• overbalanced
• balanced
• imbalanced

Kids Definition

unbalanced

adjective

un·​bal·​anced ˌən-ˈbal-ən(t)st 

1

: not in a state of balance

2

: not completely sane

3

: not adjusted so as to make credits equal to debits

an unbalanced account

Medical Definition

unbalanced

adjective

un·​bal·​anced ˌən-ˈbal-ən(t)st 

: mentally disordered : affected with mental illness

—not used technically