imbalance
noun
im·bal·ance
(ˌ)im-ˈba-lən(t)s 
plural imbalances
: lack of balance : the state of being out of equilibrium or out of proportion
a structural imbalance
a chemical imbalance in the brain
"… The talks are aimed at reducing the trade imbalance … between the world`s two largest economic powers. …"—
Norah O'Donnell
Norah O'DonnellA key element of the definition of bullying is a power imbalance that enables the abusive behavior.—Patricia Vowinkel
Patricia VowinkelSome have suffered an imbalance of gait known as ataxia.—Lawrence K. Altman
Lawrence K. AltmanExamples of imbalance in a Sentence
Her depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.
the problem of racial imbalance in schools
Recent Examples on the Web
With sessions lasting several hours, her intention was to grant as much agency as possible to the teens involved, and to counter the inevitable power imbalance between herself and her subjects.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 July 2025
When posture is compromised or muscle imbalances are present, your gait can change in ways that can counter the health benefits of walking by increasing your risk of chronic pain and injury.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
While mechanical stress may be the biggest influence on how wrinkles initially develop, protection against major issues like sun damage and hormonal imbalances will keep your skin healthy.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2025
With more women demanding solutions for hormonal imbalance and perimenopause symptoms, and with the ease of a woman’s hormone test at home, Hormona is poised to lead a new era in women’s health.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for imbalance
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Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 26 July 2025
When posture is compromised or muscle imbalances are present, your gait can change in ways that can counter the health benefits of walking by increasing your risk of chronic pain and injury.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 24 July 2025
While mechanical stress may be the biggest influence on how wrinkles initially develop, protection against major issues like sun damage and hormonal imbalances will keep your skin healthy.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 23 July 2025
With more women demanding solutions for hormonal imbalance and perimenopause symptoms, and with the ease of a woman’s hormone test at home, Hormona is poised to lead a new era in women’s health.
—Geri Stengel, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for imbalance
Cite this Entry
“Imbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imbalance. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
imbalance
noun
im·bal·ance
(ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s
: the state of being out of balance or out of proportion
Medical Definition
imbalance
noun
im·bal·ance
(ˈ)im-ˈbal-ən(t)s
: lack of balance : the state of being out of equilibrium or out of proportion: as
a
: loss of parallel relation between the optical axes of the eyes caused by faulty action of the extrinsic muscles and often resulting in diplopia
b
: absence of biological equilibrium
a vitamin imbalance
if the ductus arteriosus fails to close, a circulatory imbalance results—E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu
E. B. Steen & Ashley Montagu
c
: a disproportion between the number of males and females in a population
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