balance 1 of 2

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2
3
as in scale
a device for measuring weight use a balance to make sure you get the amounts precisely correct

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as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective the balance to the mountain of complaints are the many letters of praise that we also receive

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5

balance

2 of 2

verb

1
as in to equate
to make equal in amount, degree, or status tried to balance the total amount of money spent on gifts for each child

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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as in to pay
to give what is owed for she had to balance her account with the hotel before checking out of her room

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of balance
Noun
Yet even a broken clock can be right twice a day, and senators should keep in mind that, on balance, these are not serious people. New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 30 Jan. 2025 While just 25% of Gen Xers are still paying off student loans, the median debt balance for that age group is $31,066, according to an analysis by online lender Lending Tree. Kendrick Marshall, Sacramento Bee, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
Meghan Trainor is no stranger to life on the road, balancing her music career with the challenges of motherhood. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2025 This is essential to refresh and balance your scalp. Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 1 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for balance 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balance
Noun
  • Often, our everyday stressors feel never-ending, and the return to equilibrium becomes less than breezy.
    Marie Bladt, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
  • With Biden, the vice presidency seemed to return to a more appropriate equilibrium after Cheney’s extraordinary tenure.
    Roy Brownell, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Roughly one-third of fourth graders could not identify whole numbers nor lines of symmetry in shapes, while nearly half could not determine familiar words using context clues.
    Meira Gebel, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
  • This design element, another nod to vintage timepieces, serves both a functional and aesthetic purpose, contributing to the watch's overall balance and symmetry.
    Bhanu Chopra, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • Begin to balance the scales with positive comments about yourself.
    Sandy Thibault, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
  • This membrane peels away within weeks, revealing large, dark scales covering most of the body.
    Brandi Jones, MSN-Ed, Health, 7 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • This would put it just behind a deal Microsoft struck with Brazilian investment bank BTG Pactual's forestry arm for 8 million carbon offset credits, which ranked as the largest such purchase to that date.
    Andrew Freedman, Axios, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Fully extending the act’s provisions without offsets might cost $5 trillion, an embarrassment to those who purport to care about fiscal discipline.
    Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 16 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Clark believes there are seven key elements to a cozy nook: environment, seating, foot rest, pillows, light, a side table, and a throw.
    Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025
  • Dogs can be disruptive during sleep, with movements or snoring that may affect your quality of rest.
    Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 7 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Trump then equated employment practices benefitting minority groups with promoting incompetence, and indicated the fate of American Flight 5342 may have been the result of diversity, equity and inclusion hiring (DEI).
    Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 5 Feb. 2025
  • Trump implicitly equated racial, gender and other forms of diversity with a lower-quality federal workforce.
    Sareen Habeshian, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • In her diary, Dana expressed a part of her experience that caregivers often hesitate to say out loud, as read by her son, Will, in the documentary.
    Elissa Strauss, CNN, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The Weeknd goes deep on 'Enjoy the Show' With his signature falsetto vocals, the music offers an ethereal sound but doesn't hesitate to cut through it periodically with old-school disco loops.
    Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 31 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • But the Trump administration would need to finalize the rule and figure out how to pay the roughly $40 billion price tag.
    Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025
  • Those who quit were promised they would be paid through Sept. 30.
    Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near balance

Cite this Entry

“Balance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balance. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.

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