balance

1 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 of balance counterpoise, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, poise, stasis Words Related to balance counterbalance, offset; firmness, fixedness, security, stability, steadiness Near Antonyms of balance changeability, fluctuation, inconstancy, insecurity, instability, mutability, precariousness, shakiness, unsteadiness, volatility Antonyms of balance disequilibration, disequilibrium, imbalance, nonequilibrium, unbalance

2 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 of balance harmony, coherence, concinnity, consonance, consonancy, orchestration, proportion, symmetry, symphony, unityWords Related to balance coordination, correlation, correspondence, equalization, equilibrium, evenness, order, orderliness, regularity, uniformityNear Antonyms of balance confusion, disorganization, dissonance, disturbance, tension; disconnectedness, disjointedness, incompatibility; irregularity, unevennessAntonyms of balance asymmetry, discordance, disproportion, disunity, imbalance, incoherence, violence

3 a device for measuring weight use a balance to make sure you get the amounts precisely correct Synonyms of balance scaleWords Related to balance gravimeter

4 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 of balance counterbalance, canceler (or canceller), corrective, counter, counteraction, counterforce, counterpoise, counterweight, equipoise, neutralizer, offsetWords Related to balance trade-off; ballast, weight

5 a remaining group or portion and the balance of the contestants should stand in that last corner Synonyms of balance remainder, leavings, leftovers, odds and ends, remains, remnant, residue, residuum, restWords Related to balance fragment, scrap, vestige; butt, oddment, scraping(s), stub, stump; excess, fat, overabundance, overage, overflow, overkill, overmuch, oversupply, superabundance, superfluity, surfeit, surplusNear Antonyms of balance body, bulk, main, mass, most, weight

1 to make equal in amount, degree, or status tried to balance the total amount of money spent on gifts for each child Synonyms of balance equalize, equate, even, levelWords Related to balance equilibrate, equipoise; accommodate, adjust, compensate, fit; counterbalance; homogenize, normalize, regularize, standardize; democratizeNear Antonyms of balance disequilibrate

2 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 of balance hesitate, dither, falter, halt, hang back, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, waver, wobble (also wabble)Words Related to balance haw, hem; dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait; back down, chicken (out); consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh; oscillate, sway; equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffleNear Antonyms of balance decide; budge, stir; advance, continueAntonyms of balance dive (in), plunge (in)

3 to give what is owed for she had to balance her account with the video store before being allowed to rent more movies Synonyms of balance ante up, pay, clear, discharge, foot, liquidate, meet, pay off, pay up, pony up, quit, recompense, settle, spring (for), standAntonyms of balance repudiate