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
Otherwise, the imbalance of 70% male to 30% female in companies will persist, especially in leadership roles.
—Corinne Post, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
This condition causes an imbalance in the microscopic organisms within the body, which can have negative impacts on health, per Cleveland Clinic.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately, a single detox isn’t enough to cure digital imbalance.
—Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
Capture myopathy, an often fatal condition in which captured animals overexert their muscles causing physiological imbalances, has been associated with the death of Mexican gray wolves as recently as 2020.
—John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for imbalance 
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Corinne Post, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
This condition causes an imbalance in the microscopic organisms within the body, which can have negative impacts on health, per Cleveland Clinic.
—Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 20 Nov. 2024
Unfortunately, a single detox isn’t enough to cure digital imbalance.
—Discover Magazine, 7 Nov. 2024
Capture myopathy, an often fatal condition in which captured animals overexert their muscles causing physiological imbalances, has been associated with the death of Mexican gray wolves as recently as 2020.
—John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 28 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for imbalance
Dictionary Entries Near imbalance
Cite this Entry
“Imbalance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/imbalance. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
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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