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
Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
That is always a balance the Federal Reserve tries to strike.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Barrier-supporting ceramides, beta-glucan, and humectants round things out, leaving skin hydrated, clear, and balanced all over.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for balance
Noun
Others say that a balance can be struck and that, in moderation, such rituals are part of the month’s festive spirit.
—Mariam Fam, Los Angeles Times, 17 Feb. 2026
That is always a balance the Federal Reserve tries to strike.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
Director Penny Lane interviews jazz critics who howl at his wretchedness, then balances it with fans who simply don’t care.
—Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Feb. 2026
Barrier-supporting ceramides, beta-glucan, and humectants round things out, leaving skin hydrated, clear, and balanced all over.
—Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 15 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for balance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balance
Noun
-
The work of Ayurveda, then, is to restore equilibrium.—
Annie Daly,
Vogue,
19 Feb. 2026
-
Then, with fewer and smaller oxygen-consuming animals and more plants gobbling up carbon dioxide and producing oxygen, the balance will change, eventually reaching equilibrium.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The resulting houses built on Prickly Mountain are unusual and not especially concerned with symmetry, but the lines are clean nevertheless.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The results showed that TERS is sensitive to the symmetry of local environments.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Some board members who voted no said the district had not sufficiently demonstrated that broad layoff notices were the most responsible or strategic option and argued that the analysis did not fully account for the operational and human consequences of issuing RIF notices at that scale.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
In Italy in the 1960s, announcements about a state-of-the-art highway that would soon connect the economically struggling south with the advanced north were as pompous as the scale of the project.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If your aloe has produced offsets, when repotting, separate the offsets from the parent plant with a sharp knife.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Carbon offsets were achieved through the reforestation of the Nhamabwe salt pan with indigenous mangroves from the lodge’s own nursery.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The only way to heal from runner’s knee is rest.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Another warning sign that often flies under the radar is profound fatigue—an overwhelming tiredness that doesn’t go away with rest (something that many of us are quick to dismiss).—
Jennifer Shanker,
Flow Space,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Emmanuel Macron equated territorial sovereignty with the rights of the French to police their own misinformation and democracy.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN Money,
15 Feb. 2026
-
We’ve been trained since childhood to equate calcium with skeletal strength, and dairy milk is the darling of the calcium-containing food world.—
Lauren Manaker,
SELF,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not hesitate when asked about his expectations for Mookie Betts.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
-
Many users hesitate to upload ID scans or biometric selfies to access gaming servers or community groups.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Those who make these claims apparently haven't been paying much attention these past four years, in particular to which side (hint, Russia) has been forced to shed most of that blood.—
Bradley Gitz,
Arkansas Online,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Only recently had many countries stopped treating solo female travelers as a problem to be managed, no longer refusing them hotel rooms when traveling without a man, or denying them credit cards to pay for it.—
Lilit Marcus,
CNN Money,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balance. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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