1
as in equilibrium
a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another
in order to determine the weight of that beaker, you need to get the two pans of the scale in perfect balance
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in symmetry
a balanced, pleasing, or suitable arrangement of parts
the balance of the landscaping is in keeping with the symmetry of so many 18th-century mansions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in scale
a device for measuring weight
use a balance to make sure you get the amounts precisely correct
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in rest
a remaining group or portion
and the balance of the contestants should stand in that last corner
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hesitate
to show uncertainty about the right course of action
his tendency to balance and waffle on certain hot-button issues may hurt him in the general election
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of balance
Liz Knueven, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Owners do not care about competitive balance.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
Crucially, the military should balance these financials with attractive inducements such as robust family health care coverage, prescription drug cost reductions, and partial pension possibilities for those who provide vital service short of a full 20-year career.
—Robert Krasner, STAT, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for balance
Noun
Charles Schwab Learn More Minimum deposit and balance Minimum deposit and balance requirements may vary depending on the investment vehicle selected.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 2 June 2026
Owners do not care about competitive balance.
—Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 2 June 2026
Verb
For its part, Union Pacific has to manage a high-wire act, balancing a regulator hellbent on staying neutral with a president keen to flex his dealmaking muscles.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
Crucially, the military should balance these financials with attractive inducements such as robust family health care coverage, prescription drug cost reductions, and partial pension possibilities for those who provide vital service short of a full 20-year career.
—Robert Krasner, STAT, 1 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for balance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balance
Noun
-
Mary disrupts Clark’s equilibrium with the Backrooms by refusing to validate his excuses for his behavior, fully calling out his failings, his petty assholery, and his glib, solipsistic lies.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
That equilibrium was sustained not by the courts or the Voting Rights Act but by behavior.—
Bruce Sibley,
Time,
29 May 2026
Noun
-
By greatly expanding the dimensions of his images, with their muted palettes, tight cropping, found symmetries, and laconic wit, had the maestro of the photographic epigram betrayed his subtractive aesthetic?—
James Quandt,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
There’s a symmetry between Pratt’s campaign and the broader moment, in which the media landscape looks more and more like reality TV.—
Louis Staples,
The Atlantic,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The bureau said this year’s operation will be conducted on a larger scale, with federal officials working alongside state and local partners to identify and disrupt violent criminals.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
3 June 2026
-
While ethanol has been widely used in cars and trucks for decades, particularly in Brazil, it has rarely been deployed as a primary fuel for utility-scale electricity production.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
2 June 2026
Noun
-
During Disney’s most recent quarterly report in early May, the company’s entertainment segment reported that streaming revenue offset declines in both linear affiliate fees and advertising.—
Lillian Rizzo,
CNBC,
31 May 2026
-
Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream over the entire cake to seal in crumbs, using an offset spatula to smooth it evenly.—
Kate Bradshaw,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2026
Noun
-
Mild symptoms can often be managed with rest, fluids and over-the-counter pain relievers.—
Ryan Brennan
June 2,
Sacbee.com,
3 June 2026
-
One notable aspect of sleepmaxxing is that those who dig in tend to view sleep more as a performance tool than as a period of rest.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
2 June 2026
Verb
-
We are trained, from early on, to equate addition with progress.—
Nell Derick Debevoise Dewey,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
While being named in the files does not equate with wrongdoing, and Mette-Marit has not been accused of any crimes, one of the biggest questions about the Epstein files surrounds her 2013 visit to the financier's home in Palm Beach, Fla.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
But at the last second, Pages pulled up to let Tucker make the catch, and Tucker hesitated before flailing after it.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
While their rivals started spending significant sums of money as soon as the 2024-25 season finished, Spurs wasted a couple of weeks hesitating about the long-term future of then head coach Ange Postecoglou before replacing him with Thomas Frank.—
David Ornstein,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
The row between crypto companies and banks came down to whether those offering stablecoin accounts should be able to pay interest on deposits like traditional bank accounts, with banking groups warning that the stability of the financial system could be undermined as people move their money.—
Billy Bambrough,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2026
-
To pay for her medical bills, the family had to sell most of their remaining cattle and goats, a bitter blow after years of drought had already decimated local herds.—
Tommy Trenchard,
NPR,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balance. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
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