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
1
as in stable
having full use of one's mind and control over one's actions
no balanced person would believe that their dog's bark was actually the voice of God
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in symmetric
having the parts agreeably related
a balanced arrangement of the furniture made the room look more spacious
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in equated
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 faltered
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 paid
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 balance
Marina Cooley, CNBC, 5 July 2025
On the eve of their opening match, Williamson spoke about finding a balance when giving younger players advice.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 July 2025
Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 7 July 2025
Lemon zest and segments: Lemon zest delivers a bold, lemony flavor, while segments impart the right amount of acid in the filling to balance the sweetness.
—Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
Cerys Jones, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Clymer said she’s always advocated for fairness in sports, but the NCAA had rules in place for nearly a decade that balanced fairness, nuance and trans athletes’ ability to compete.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for balance
Noun
To get more of her insights on work/life balance, find Marina on Instagram @marinacooley.
—Marina Cooley, CNBC, 5 July 2025
On the eve of their opening match, Williamson spoke about finding a balance when giving younger players advice.
—Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 5 July 2025
Verb
Founded in 2019, Guidon Studio has become known for crafting innovative interiors that balance functionality and originality, playing with volume, texture, and light.
—Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 7 July 2025
Lemon zest and segments: Lemon zest delivers a bold, lemony flavor, while segments impart the right amount of acid in the filling to balance the sweetness.
—Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
Adjective
There wasn’t a single talismanic player driving them on, but rather class sprinkled throughout and a clear, balanced game plan.
—Cerys Jones, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Clymer said she’s always advocated for fairness in sports, but the NCAA had rules in place for nearly a decade that balanced fairness, nuance and trans athletes’ ability to compete.
—Alaa Elassar, CNN Money, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for balance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for balance
Noun
-
After years of living alone, Rhoda takes in a lodger, but the change unsettles the equilibrium of her home.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
25 June 2025
-
The show presents surfing as a balance between surrendering to nature while conquering a wave, a push-pull dynamic that can only work in equilibrium, and McNamara has been a compelling personification of that, someone who trains and strives and competes to maintain sangfroid.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
30 May 2025
Noun
-
After allowing time for your lips to settle — typically a couple of weeks — a medical professional can reevaluate the symmetry, contour, and firmness of your lips and use hyaluronidase to dissolve some or all of the filler in a certain spot.—
Carlos Wolf,
Miami Herald,
11 July 2025
-
And while the ongoing clean girl trend has favored the symmetry of a middle part, the side parting offers something that can be both an elevated detail and a playful subversion of form.—
Jeanne Ballion,
Vogue,
2 July 2025
Noun
-
Turning Data Into Insights The scale of operations in large and mid-size companies requires extensive connectivity to support various business functions, communication and data management.—
Ben Verghese,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
-
Over the course of the past year, pilot projects have begun the metamorphosis to commercial scale, generating new partnerships and backing from industry stalwarts, manufacturing experts and forward-thinking brands.—
Kate Nishimura,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
Noun
-
That's still a huge offset to the deficit and debt projections coming from the budget bill alone.—
Kelly Evans,
CNBC,
8 July 2025
-
However, the proliferation of low-quality or poorly verified offsets dilutes the market's credibility and undermines climate goals.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
However, the High Priestess shows February being full of rest and healing, urging you to slow down and listen to your intuition… because your sixth sense is strong for a reason.—
Meghan Rose,
Glamour,
1 July 2025
-
These rules, if finalized, would apply to both indoor and outdoor work settings and would require employers to implement measures such as providing water, rest breaks, and acclimatization periods when temperatures reach certain thresholds.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
His early stardom never quite translated into a stable senior career as opportunities dried up in a system overflowing with talent.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
11 July 2025
-
The president further argues that lower rates will make financing the ever-increasing federal debt cheaper, a factor which does not play into the Fed’s statutory dual mandate of ensuring maximum sustainable employment and stable prices.—
Ron Insana,
CNBC,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
Of the 10 colleges and universities in North Carolina with the highest proportion of students getting Pell grants, six are community colleges, according to data from the National Center for Education Statistics.—
Rebecca Noel,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
-
Advertisement Read more: Medicaid Expansions Saved Tens of Thousands of Lives, Study Finds The proportion of people enrolled in the program varies significantly between states.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
30 June 2025
Noun
-
Boxes of 45s, some with protective sleeves and many without, line the floor near the counter where Doug Snyder sits on the left side of the store.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2025
-
Trowbridge's is a charming blast from the past, from the vinyl counter seats to the old-fashioned milkshakes, to the homemade chili and chicken and dumplings.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Balance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/balance. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share