imbalance

/ɪmˈbæləns/

lack of balance

The economic imbalance between the rich and poor has widened.

The difference in wealth between the rich and poor has become more extreme.

formal

a lack of proportion or symmetry between different parts or elements

The country faces a severe trade imbalance.

The country imports much more than it exports, creating a trade deficit.

Social media can create an imbalance in mental health.

Excessive social media use can negatively affect mental well-being.

Often used in economic, social, or physical contexts.

Collocations

economic imbalancea situation where economic forces are unequalemotional imbalancea state of unstable or excessive emotionsstructural imbalancea fundamental inequality in a system

Do not confuse 'imbalance' with 'unbalance'—'imbalance' is the standard term in formal contexts.

Use for significant or problematic lack of balance, especially in systems, economies, or health.

From Latin 'im-' (not) + 'bilanx' (having two scales), literally 'not having equal weight'. First recorded in English in the 17th century.

Common in academic, economic, and psychological contexts. Avoid using for minor differences; implies a significant or problematic lack of balance.

im-

not

prefix

balance

equilibrium or proportion

root

English Dictionary