balance 1 of 2

Definition of balancenext
1
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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4
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

2
3
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
During our testing, this feature made progress on student loan repayment feel more tangible by showing how each payment affected overall net worth rather than simply reducing an account balance. Nick Perry, USA Today, 9 June 2026 So, rather than carrying a mortgage-free home and little or no debt, many retirees are now trying to juggle credit card balances, personal loans, tax obligations and other financial commitments well into their 60s and 70s. Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 9 June 2026
Verb
For example, athletes sometimes use HRV to balance hard workouts with recovery, while others may notice how sleep, alcohol, stress or hydration are affecting their readings. Daryl Austin, USA Today, 15 June 2026 Ada County commissioners are considering raising property taxes to balance the budget this year. Idaho Statesman, 15 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for balance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balance
Noun
  • Adaptive leadership requires people to disturb equilibrium, surface uncomfortable truths and sustain productive tension long enough for learning to occur.
    Britton Bloch, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
  • In its equilibrium, a good tomato sandwich is juicy and unctuous and appropriately messy, which is praise all too often reserved for hot sandwiches like cheesesteaks or patty melts.
    Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Noun
  • These colors are so rich, and the bookmatch-style symmetry is neat.
    Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 16 June 2026
  • If so, the framework could open a new window into how complex matter organizes itself when the usual action-reaction symmetry breaks down.
    Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 14 June 2026
Noun
  • Miami knows a variety of sports on a gigantic scale more than most big cities.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 June 2026
  • The expectations placed on science and technology to deliver solutions—quickly and at scale—have never been higher.
    Rachel Nuwer, Scientific American, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • This automatically measures the distance between the edges of the folding panels, uses sensors to detect offsets and recalibrates the brightness of adjacent LEDs to hide the tiny slot.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 June 2026
  • The traditional approach to ESG reporting tended to involve buying carbon offsets in bulk, taking a supplier's ethical sourcing spreadsheet at face value, or reviewing documentation months after the activity in question had already happened.
    Sean Stein Smith, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Noun
  • The Dodgers considered bringing in a spot starter, manager Dave Roberts said, in order to keep the full rotation on extra rest.
    Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2026
  • In May, Stewart axed two Las Vegas residency performances while recovering from a sinus infection and undergoing vocal rest.
    Ashley Hume, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2026
Verb
  • There is a version of leadership that confuses visibility with impact, equating big initiatives and dramatic turnarounds with strong leadership.
    Monica Cutia, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
  • Israel and the United States condemned the move, accusing the court of equating Israeli leaders with Hamas terrorists.
    Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Businesses denied loans mid-deal Traditional banks often hesitate to deal with small firms.
    Alina Selyukh, NPR, 12 June 2026
  • For example, a manager may hesitate to recommend another woman for a high-profile assignment out of concern that opportunities are limited or that supporting a peer could diminish her own standing.
    Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • Janet agreed to pay over $8,600 in restitution and complete 150 hours of community service.
    Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 14 June 2026
  • In early times, most humans barely paid attention to weather calamities because the region was so sparsely populated.
    Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Balance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balance. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

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