as in inequality
a state or condition in which different things do not occur in equal or proper amounts
There is an imbalance between his work life and family life.
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Recent Examples of imbalance
That imbalance is part of the appeal.
—
Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Certain polyphenols in coffee have antioxidant properties that protect against oxidative stress (an imbalance that can cause cellular damage) and inflammation—both of which accelerate aging.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 12 Jan. 2026
Texas’ governance reforms, including the derivative threshold, were crafted precisely to address that imbalance.
—Shane Goodwin, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
In many cases, the perpetrator is also the employer who controls not only wages and work hours, but housing and transportation, creating an extreme power imbalance in which retaliation can mean losing a job, losing shelter, or being forced deeper into poverty.
—Mónica Ramírez, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imbalance
Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 13 Jan. 2026
Certain polyphenols in coffee have antioxidant properties that protect against oxidative stress (an imbalance that can cause cellular damage) and inflammation—both of which accelerate aging.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 12 Jan. 2026
Texas’ governance reforms, including the derivative threshold, were crafted precisely to address that imbalance.
—Shane Goodwin, Fortune, 8 Jan. 2026
In many cases, the perpetrator is also the employer who controls not only wages and work hours, but housing and transportation, creating an extreme power imbalance in which retaliation can mean losing a job, losing shelter, or being forced deeper into poverty.
—Mónica Ramírez, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for imbalance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for imbalance
Noun
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There was even one woman who related gender inequality to dressing more professionally.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
14 Jan. 2026
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While women have worked toward equality in many realms, significant gender inequality persists in income, parenting, and household labor.—
Oona Metz,
Time,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Wrought Studio Lawandra Modern Upholstered Swivel Storage Chair To the naked eye, this may seem like a typical upholstered chair, but there’s one sneaky detail that makes a world of difference.—
Ali Faccenda,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
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That’s for the college game, where the head coach is the star and the difference between the haves and have-nots is massive.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Kennedy’s promise to minimize federal involvement in enforcing constitutional rights is in stark contrast to Trump’s vow to employ troops in response to purported high crime in multiple major cities, a claim those cities’ leaders have disputed.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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Newer machines, by contrast, often use payout systems that tie claw strength to how much money has been fed into the game, meaning the claw only reaches full strength after the operator’s preset threshold is met.—
Anna Rahmanan,
thehustle.co,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As to the non-final action, one problem for the A’s is that the marks fail to show enough distinctiveness.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
7 Jan. 2026
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Judean culture had been transformed by Greek influence for centuries, but Antiochus attempted to quash Judean religious distinctiveness altogether.—
Joshua Shanes,
The Conversation,
11 Dec. 2025
Noun
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How can the sense of an absolute union of all matter be reconciled with the endless multiplicity and distinctness of it?—
Christian Wiman,
Harpers Magazine,
30 Dec. 2025
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However, a few hours with Air Riders reveals the nuance and depth of its gameplay, the distinctness of this flavor of racing game and its sensory, chaotic, and strategic appeal.—
Ryan Gaur,
Rolling Stone,
19 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Imbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/imbalance. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
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