imbalance

noun

im·​bal·​ance (ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)s How to pronounce imbalance (audio)
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 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Too much experimentation without focus can lead to imbalance. Rachel King, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025 Their departures offered a reminder of the essential imbalance between the bureaucrats’ enduring stake in the structure of government and the fleeting and contingent interest of Musk’s team. Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 16 June 2025 The report also described a power imbalance that exists between labor and management within the department. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 13 June 2025 Getty Europe Has 'Made Mistakes' With Defense The tariffs imposed by Trump on Europe to try to redress trade imbalances have been another source of friction with the U.S. As a member of the European Union, Denmark does not hold separate trade negotiations with the United States. Matthew Tostevin, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for imbalance

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of imbalance was circa 1890

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Imbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imbalance. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

imbalance

noun
im·​bal·​ance (ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s How to pronounce imbalance (audio)
: the state of being out of balance or out of proportion

Medical Definition

imbalance

noun
im·​bal·​ance (ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s How to pronounce imbalance (audio)
: 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 resultsE. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu
c
: a disproportion between the number of males and females in a population
imbalanced adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on imbalance

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