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
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 balances
Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The accounting treatment removes the tariff impact from underlying cost of sales and inventory balances and ensures comparability of underlying year-on-year performance.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
Interest charges will also continue compounding, and some lenders can impose penalty APRs that make your balances grow even faster.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Calvo is taking an aggressive stance in seeking to collect outstanding balances from the debtors, including the hospitals, arguing that the city cannot continue allowing large private institutions to accumulate unpaid debt while enforcing strict payment rules on residents.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Additional employer or philanthropic initiatives aimed at seeding accounts could further increase early balances.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Proudly distinct from its southern neighbors, Northern California balances its cutting-edge tech terrain with equally impressive landscapes.
—Kristin Braswell, Architectural Digest, 22 May 2026
Mint balances oil production, reduces dandruff, and improves blood flow.
—Claire West, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
The energy and bustle of Harvard Square balances top shops—Ray Bans, Gap, Patagonia—with indie darlings like romance bookstore Lovestruck Books and Bob Slate Stationer.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
Alasdair McLellan shot the portraits and a series of trailers that portray Jung Kook as a modern icon embodying the freedom of the open road, uniting fashion and entertainment to create an immersive world that balances his larger-than-life impact with Calvin Klein’s point of view.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
Samsung 55-Inch Smart TV Deal The Samsung U7900 Series balances modern design with reliable security features.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 18 May 2026
Somewhere in the chaos, a stylist balances an iced latte, three phones and a couture gown worth more than a Riviera apartment.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Glueck’s most recent Amazon find is this coffee table, designed in the style of Karl Springer, that balances sculptural form with high design.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2026
Noun
Seoul’s café culture balances design, craft and ritual at a high level.
—Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 May 2026
The accounting treatment removes the tariff impact from underlying cost of sales and inventory balances and ensures comparability of underlying year-on-year performance.
—Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 19 May 2026
Interest charges will also continue compounding, and some lenders can impose penalty APRs that make your balances grow even faster.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 19 May 2026
Calvo is taking an aggressive stance in seeking to collect outstanding balances from the debtors, including the hospitals, arguing that the city cannot continue allowing large private institutions to accumulate unpaid debt while enforcing strict payment rules on residents.
—Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 15 May 2026
Additional employer or philanthropic initiatives aimed at seeding accounts could further increase early balances.
—Medora Lee, USA Today, 15 May 2026
Verb
The wheat component gives the whiskey a plush, flavorful mid-palate that balances the alcohol.
—Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Proudly distinct from its southern neighbors, Northern California balances its cutting-edge tech terrain with equally impressive landscapes.
—Kristin Braswell, Architectural Digest, 22 May 2026
Mint balances oil production, reduces dandruff, and improves blood flow.
—Claire West, PEOPLE, 21 May 2026
The energy and bustle of Harvard Square balances top shops—Ray Bans, Gap, Patagonia—with indie darlings like romance bookstore Lovestruck Books and Bob Slate Stationer.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2026
Alasdair McLellan shot the portraits and a series of trailers that portray Jung Kook as a modern icon embodying the freedom of the open road, uniting fashion and entertainment to create an immersive world that balances his larger-than-life impact with Calvin Klein’s point of view.
—Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 May 2026
Samsung 55-Inch Smart TV Deal The Samsung U7900 Series balances modern design with reliable security features.
—Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 18 May 2026
Somewhere in the chaos, a stylist balances an iced latte, three phones and a couture gown worth more than a Riviera apartment.
—Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026
Glueck’s most recent Amazon find is this coffee table, designed in the style of Karl Springer, that balances sculptural form with high design.
—Quincy Bulin, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balances
Noun
-
Tracking free cash flow rather than operating income becomes more important as AI capex scales.—
Jason Kirsch,
Forbes.com,
20 May 2026
-
Every score is measured at two scales independently and then combined, Geotab says.—
Joseph Hernandez,
Kansas City Star,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
In these zones, the fault splits into multiple strands with sideways offsets between them, creating small extension gaps inside the fault system.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
-
Those bulbs spread and multiply by forming little bulblets called offsets, and those grow into larger bulbs.—
Andy Wilcox,
Better Homes & Gardens,
29 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Beijing has long treated advanced technology transactions as matters of national security, even when the legal framing rests in competition policy.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2026
-
With adjustable leg rests and no arm rests in the way, passengers can recline or lay flat across the sofa-like space.—
Emma Clarke,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Critics said the report essentially equates one stand of conservative Christianity to be representative of Christians overall, then construes policy disagreements to be persecution.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 May 2026
-
Lewkowitz pushed back against the traditional value proposition that equates value with the lowest possible price.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Once there’s some significant progress on the cross-country escape plan, the film falters a bit.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
20 May 2026
-
As his relevance falters, Drake’s eye for slights and score-settling has grown so microscopic that even his stans need tweezers.—
Jayson Greene,
Pitchfork,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The album’s name, Arirang, pays tribute to a treasured Korean folk ballad of the same name, which was famously the country’s first song, sung by Korean men, ever recorded (it was preserved for posterity by American ethnologist Alice Fletcher in 1896).—
Nicole Fell,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2026
-
The equity initiative, which was launched as a pilot in 2021 and later expanded, pays ambassadors $6,000 per year to serve as a liaison between the city and their respective communities.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
Old food debris was found on the floor beneath all cooking equipment, shelves, prep counters and refrigerators.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
May 22,
Sacbee.com,
22 May 2026
-
The country's airports, highways, rental counters and hotel front desks are about to face the first real stress test of the season.—
Christopher Elliott,
Forbes.com,
21 May 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 24 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
