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imbalanced

imbalanced

8 4.6
Not even in the way parts or people are placed
  • adjective
  • /ɪmˈbælənst/
translation icon : desequilibrado
  • If the weights are imbalanced during the workout, it could lead to injury.
  • imbalanced defense
  • imbalanced sex ratio
  • imbalanced relationships

Because of the highs and lows that are created in this imbalanced relationship.

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Examples

  • When a patient's normal flora is altered or becomes imbalanced, Candida can proliferate, causing symptoms of a fungal infection.

    Blog text (20)
  • Owing to population losses and imbalanced sex ratios, marriage within the ayllu was not always possible.

    Academic text (1999)
  • But the field as a whole remains imbalanced, mostly situated within the social scientific culture.

    Academic text (1990)
  • The ratio is far too imbalanced with nitrogen and therefore it's not going to heat up.

  • I just feel like everything is very, very imbalanced, and we need to find a way to restore the balance.

  • Note the imbalanced increase in RMS within as well as between the two sides.

    Academic text (1997)
  • And one sure way to ensure that this imbalanced treatment continues is to pretend that it doesn't exist.

    Blog text (12)
  • Valuable time is lost; scheduling is extremely difficult; classes are often grossly imbalanced in terms of gender.

    Academic text (2002)
  • After the storm, the tower appeared imbalanced, leaning precariously to one side.

  • The team's performance was imbalanced, with the defense struggling while the offense excelled.

Synonyms

disproportionate
vsimbalanced
47 5.9

Too large or small compared with what is fair

signals imbalance more broadly rather than only relative size mismatch
lopsided
vsimbalanced
19 4.3

Uneven because one side is lower, smaller, or heavier

describes imbalance generally rather than specifically one-sided weight or size
unbalanced
vsimbalanced
14 3.8

Not steady in position, health, or feeling

means the same overall lack of balance but is the headword form
uneven
vsimbalanced
7 2.7

Not equal in strength, with one side clearly stronger

applies to imbalance in many contexts, not only unequal competitions
disproportional
vsimbalanced
1 6.7

Being too large or too small compared with something else

describes general lack of balance instead of solely proportion comparisons
underbalanced
vsimbalanced
6.7

Not steady enough to stay in place when moving

describes general lack of balance rather than insufficient operational balance
unsymmetric
vsimbalanced
6.9

Not the same on both sides of a middle line

refers to overall imbalance, not only absence of mirror symmetry
unsymmetrical
vsimbalanced
6.9

Different on each side

covers broader imbalance beyond just asymmetry in shape or layout
ill-proportioned
vsimbalanced
6.7

A thing with parts that do not match in size or shape

is about balance or equilibrium more generally, not aesthetic proportion alone
mismatched
vsimbalanced
4.5

A contest where one side is much stronger or more skilled than the other

indicates overall lack of balance or proportion, not just poor pairing

Antonyms

101 1.0

Having different parts in the right amounts so the whole is fair and steady

Describing a state where things are in balance and stay steady

How Balanced

symmetrical
25 4.1
balanced
101 1.0
imbalanced
8 4.6
uneven
42 2.3
lopsided
19 4.3

Surface Forms

imbalanced positive

Morphology

imbalanced = balanced (transparent) = im + balance + ed

The negative prefix 'im-' is added to the adjective 'balanced' to form a direct antonym meaning 'not balanced', a straightforward derivation for learners.

Etymology

The word imbalanced shows its meaning in its parts: the prefix im- means 'not' and balance means 'even' or 'steady'. So, something imbalanced is 'not steady' or not in the right amount or order, which is why we use it for things that are uneven.