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

Brown’s patriarch is the embodiment of that unbalanced relationship, causing chaos and expecting more love and forgiveness in return. —Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026

The composition may feel unbalanced, the lighting less dynamic, and the moment itself somehow flatter than imagined. —Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 12 May 2026

Until that changes, our constitutional system of checks and balances will remain unbalanced, at odds with the clear intent of the framers. —James Cramer, Baltimore Sun, 11 May 2026

At the same time, underlying tension around control, expectations or communication could surface quickly if things feel unbalanced. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 11 May 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