1
as in scales
a device for measuring weight
use a balance to make sure you get the amounts precisely correct
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in offsets
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
3
as in rests
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 equates
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 falters
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
3
as in pays
to give what is owed for
she had to balance her account with the hotel before checking out of her room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of balances
Medora Lee, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Noticing balances thinking without replacing it.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Tinged with a touch of prep and love of bold colors, their collection balances classic motifs with trend-forward patterns for a pick that feels personal but accessible.
—Alyssa Longobucco, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2026
Recently premiered at Tribeca and Sheffield DocFest, Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig's second feature balances intimate human portraiture against spectacular vistas of an unknown-to-most landscape.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 June 2026
Depending on your situation, debt consolidation, debt management, debt settlement or even bankruptcy could help address unaffordable balances and prevent collection activity from escalating.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Councilmember Kent Lee, who represents neighborhoods unaffected by the opportunity fund, suggested the city adjust the allocation formula to eliminate bank balances as a criterion.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2026
South Asia remains the strongest-performing developing region, anchored by India’s robust growth, though the conflict is dragging on the broader outlook and threatening to worsen fiscal and current account balances across the region.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Those starting out with smaller investment limits might consider coins or small bullions, while those with higher balances to transfer might consider using a gold IRA.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 12 June 2026
Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The result is an aesthetic that skillfully balances a variety of textures, including injecting Shou Sugi Ban custom treatments inspired by Japanese principles of wabi-sabi that typically employ elements of asymmetry, roughness, and simplicity.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026
Their pursuit leads them down a highly unusual path with no easy answers, and Bong masterfully balances tonal shifts from bleak tragedy to absurdist humor to highlight why the case remains so compelling.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Materials The wing of your stunt kite should be crafted from a material that balances overall durability with weight.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Today, forging a clear path to healing that balances the needs of all impacted to be seen and heard remains a sacred obligation to remembrance.
—Rev. José Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
This is in no small part due, Rahma believes, to the deft editing that balances just on the edge of the platform, so to speak, to distill ten or fifteen minutes of conversation down into a reel or a short-length amount of video.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
His performance balances youthful idealism, simmering rage and heartbreaking vulnerability, particularly as the character becomes increasingly consumed by the injustices unfolding around him.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
That perspective has shaped a model that balances litigation readiness with a broader emphasis on client experience and long-term growth.
—K. H. Koehler, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Noun
The stock market's near record highs, swelling 401(k)s and other retirement account balances.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Noticing balances thinking without replacing it.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
Tinged with a touch of prep and love of bold colors, their collection balances classic motifs with trend-forward patterns for a pick that feels personal but accessible.
—Alyssa Longobucco, Architectural Digest, 19 June 2026
Recently premiered at Tribeca and Sheffield DocFest, Khoroldorj Choijoovanchig's second feature balances intimate human portraiture against spectacular vistas of an unknown-to-most landscape.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 June 2026
Depending on your situation, debt consolidation, debt management, debt settlement or even bankruptcy could help address unaffordable balances and prevent collection activity from escalating.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 18 June 2026
Councilmember Kent Lee, who represents neighborhoods unaffected by the opportunity fund, suggested the city adjust the allocation formula to eliminate bank balances as a criterion.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 June 2026
South Asia remains the strongest-performing developing region, anchored by India’s robust growth, though the conflict is dragging on the broader outlook and threatening to worsen fiscal and current account balances across the region.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 June 2026
Those starting out with smaller investment limits might consider coins or small bullions, while those with higher balances to transfer might consider using a gold IRA.
—Liz Knueven, CNBC, 12 June 2026
Verb
The dish balances the clean flavor of the fish with bright citrus notes and a subtle touch of heat.
—Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 13 June 2026
The result is an aesthetic that skillfully balances a variety of textures, including injecting Shou Sugi Ban custom treatments inspired by Japanese principles of wabi-sabi that typically employ elements of asymmetry, roughness, and simplicity.
—Rachel Davies, Architectural Digest, 12 June 2026
Their pursuit leads them down a highly unusual path with no easy answers, and Bong masterfully balances tonal shifts from bleak tragedy to absurdist humor to highlight why the case remains so compelling.
—Eric Farwell, Entertainment Weekly, 12 June 2026
Materials The wing of your stunt kite should be crafted from a material that balances overall durability with weight.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 June 2026
Today, forging a clear path to healing that balances the needs of all impacted to be seen and heard remains a sacred obligation to remembrance.
—Rev. José Rodriguez, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 June 2026
This is in no small part due, Rahma believes, to the deft editing that balances just on the edge of the platform, so to speak, to distill ten or fifteen minutes of conversation down into a reel or a short-length amount of video.
—Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 12 June 2026
His performance balances youthful idealism, simmering rage and heartbreaking vulnerability, particularly as the character becomes increasingly consumed by the injustices unfolding around him.
—Jack Smart, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026
That perspective has shaped a model that balances litigation readiness with a broader emphasis on client experience and long-term growth.
—K. H. Koehler, USA Today, 3 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balances
Noun
-
The scales on their wings fleck off and can’t be replaced.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
-
Johnson is a throwback big man who tips the scales at 6-foot-9, 250 pounds, but also has the new-age skillset that NBA teams require from frontcourt players.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
15 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 puzzle-like slats holding the barrel together, called staves, are often used in his creations, incorporated into cocktail muddlers and cigar rests, not to mention a recent life-size buffalo made from the spent barrel pieces.—
Arati Menon,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 June 2026
-
Do note that inflatable foot rests are typically not allowed in exit rows, and must be stowed during takeoff and landing.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Five Hundred Years of Religion in America means this is not just another history going back to 1776, and this is not a book that equates religion with Christianity.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
-
The webpage equates undocumented immigrants with extraterrestrials.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
Such investors might be more inclined to dump their shares if the company's growth falters, rather than ride out the storm, Grelck said.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
-
Sometimes, things get a bit heavy-handed, and while there’s certainly room for museums to bear the stamp of their founders, as do the Frick Collection in New York, the Barnes Foundation in Philadelphia, and many others, Alice Walton’s vision sometimes falters in execution.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
8 June 2026
Verb
-
The agency also pays for 10 shelter beds at the Gateway Center and Salvation Army.—
Sara Gregory,
AJC.com,
18 June 2026
-
The Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) Trust Fund—the primary fund that pays retirement benefits—is now projected to run dry in 2032, one year sooner than last year’s estimate.—
Nick Lichtenberg,
Fortune,
17 June 2026
Noun
-
These tiers can help display more petite refreshments, adding depth to your tablescape or saving space on your tables and counters.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
19 June 2026
-
Why scent is trending right now Social media did what perfume counters could not.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Kansas City Star,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
Perhaps even a rag-tag group of remainders can put a scare into San Antonio.—
Jace Frederick,
Twin Cities,
1 May 2026
-
The best-case scenario would be for the Lakers’ remainders to extend the best-of-seven series with the Rockets long enough for Doncic and Reaves to rejoin LeBron James in that Big Three, either at the end of this series or the start of the next one.—
Jim Alexander,
Oc Register,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balances. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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