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
Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
This keeps balances stable and reduces the risk of shortfalls.
—Fazila Shahid Lodhi, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
Interest is also charged on unpaid balances, accruing daily at the federal short-term rate plus 3%.
—Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
Advanced communication in language and math created balances easing the modern world into being.
—Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
The small grip makes the X-T30 III feel smaller than the others in the hand, and balances well with a small prime or zoom lens.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
Alfred Street Baptist Church pledged money to pay off outstanding balances of households living in units maintained by Alexandria’s public housing authority.
—Kendall Staton, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2026
And with the federal government restarting loan repayments, those balances are once again squeezing budgets.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Filers aren’t required to report bank balances and primary residences — exactly the kinds of assets that constitute most people’s wealth.
—Alyce McFadden, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026
Kennedy French, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026
Eyewear today balances practicality with style, allowing wearers to refine their look while choosing frames that reflect their everyday style.
—Advertorial, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2026
That push-and-pull is central to the show, which balances absurd, high-concept comedy with sharp emotional stakes.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
With some of Chicago’s best restaurants, galleries, and bars just outside the door, the loft balances urban energy with a private perch above it all.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2026
Overall, the company is going for a design that balances durability with ease of use for activities like hiking and wildlife-watching.
—New Atlas, 8 Apr. 2026
With an eye for eerie detail, Burke balances the tightly-wound mystery with cinematic descriptions of homesteading life and the occasional moment of beauty as Natalie’s resistance is tested.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Little Debbie's parent company, McKee Foods, announced today an all-new bakery-style treat that perfectly balances convenience with quality.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026
Long-term planning that balances reliability with cost will be essential as demand continues to rise.
—David Santiago, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Noun
As those balances grow, though, and more borrowers fall behind, creditors are increasingly turning to aggressive collection tools — including bank levies — to recover what they're owed.
—Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
This keeps balances stable and reduces the risk of shortfalls.
—Fazila Shahid Lodhi, Idaho Statesman, 8 Apr. 2026
Interest is also charged on unpaid balances, accruing daily at the federal short-term rate plus 3%.
—Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 7 Apr. 2026
Advanced communication in language and math created balances easing the modern world into being.
—Doris Bittar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2026
The small grip makes the X-T30 III feel smaller than the others in the hand, and balances well with a small prime or zoom lens.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 6 Apr. 2026
Alfred Street Baptist Church pledged money to pay off outstanding balances of households living in units maintained by Alexandria’s public housing authority.
—Kendall Staton, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2026
And with the federal government restarting loan repayments, those balances are once again squeezing budgets.
—Preston Fore, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2026
Filers aren’t required to report bank balances and primary residences — exactly the kinds of assets that constitute most people’s wealth.
—Alyce McFadden, San Francisco Chronicle, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
The show balances the crime world against something as comparatively mundane as a local mayoral race — and somehow both feel equally high-stakes.
—Kennedy French, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026
Eyewear today balances practicality with style, allowing wearers to refine their look while choosing frames that reflect their everyday style.
—Advertorial, Footwear News, 10 Apr. 2026
That push-and-pull is central to the show, which balances absurd, high-concept comedy with sharp emotional stakes.
—Sarah Rodman, Entertainment Weekly, 9 Apr. 2026
With some of Chicago’s best restaurants, galleries, and bars just outside the door, the loft balances urban energy with a private perch above it all.
—Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2026
Overall, the company is going for a design that balances durability with ease of use for activities like hiking and wildlife-watching.
—New Atlas, 8 Apr. 2026
With an eye for eerie detail, Burke balances the tightly-wound mystery with cinematic descriptions of homesteading life and the occasional moment of beauty as Natalie’s resistance is tested.
—Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Little Debbie's parent company, McKee Foods, announced today an all-new bakery-style treat that perfectly balances convenience with quality.
—Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026
Long-term planning that balances reliability with cost will be essential as demand continues to rise.
—David Santiago, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balances
Noun
-
However, as transistor dimensions approach atomic scales, quantum effects, heat dissipation, and fabrication constraints are making further miniaturization increasingly difficult.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Apr. 2026
-
Similar scales, smaller, more narrow, usually red, would remain well into the 1970s inside supermarkets and five-and-dimes like Woolworth.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The $10 million Cousins is guaranteed from Atlanta in 2026 is subject to offsets, meaning if the Raiders signed him for, say, $3 million, the Falcons would pay the remaining $7 million.—
Dianna Russini,
New York Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Later this year, the federal government plans to resume wage garnishment and tax refund offsets for borrowers in default, stripping hundreds of dollars from people’s paychecks.—
Richard Cordray,
New York Daily News,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
To travel just one meter, these fish require an average of 30 to 60 seconds of movement, along with eight to nine short pauses and nine one-hour rests on horizontal ledges along their route, according to Phys.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The seats will have adjustable leg rests that can fold at a 90-degree angle, giving passengers room to sleep or stretch out.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Sara Aparacio, a resident cleaning expert at Homeaglow, equates scrubbing an appliance with an abrasive sponge to rubbing it with very fine sandpaper.—
Maria Sabella,
The Spruce,
11 Apr. 2026
-
Wright equates climate-change activists to alarmists and has likened efforts by Democrats to combat global warming to Soviet-style communism.—
Anca Gurzu,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
If the economy falters, political pressure on the president will build.—
Nancy Cook,
Bloomberg,
25 Mar. 2026
-
The goal is to complete this as one continuous set, but drop to your knees and/or take breaks if your form falters at any point.—
Jenny McCoy,
Outside,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The list price starts at a little over 12,000 for 200 milligram dosage, but the amount someone actually pays varies greatly.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The Pickford Award pays tribute to alumni whose achievements bring special distinction to the university and the industry.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
14 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The kitchen balances sleek stainless steel appliances with stone counters and fun, patterned tilework, and the bathrooms mix polished fixtures with statement tile.—
Bailey Berg,
Architectural Digest,
8 Apr. 2026
-
The kitchen includes custom Allmilmo cabinets, quartz counters and stainless steel appliances.—
Lauryn Azu,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Riders set a target heart-rate zone in the Avinox Ride app, and the motor automatically adjusts its output to keep them there.—
Omar Kardoudi
April 10,
New Atlas,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Things move more regularly, bloating decreases and your stomach generally feels less chaotic once your gut adjusts.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Balances.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balances. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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