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unbalance

unbalance

6.8
A feeling of being mentally or emotionally unstable
  • noun
  • /ʌnˈbæləns/
translation icon : desequilibrio emocional
  • He said that one thing to blame is the unbalance of brain chemistry, and he is unable to manage anything other than himself.

And that unbalance that we are creating by trying to escape the reality that we have created by ourselves is the one that is creating more conflict.

Examples

  • After facing many challenges, she struggled with an emotional unbalance that made it hard to concentrate.

  • And that unbalance that we are creating by trying to escape the reality that we have created by ourselves is the one that is creating more conflict.

  • His sudden outburst revealed a state of unbalance that indicated he was not coping well with the stress.

  • The therapy sessions helped him regain a sense of unbalance after feeling overwhelmed by his emotions.

Synonyms

instability
vsunbalance
114 5.1

A situation that changes easily and can fail, for example in politics

is limited to mental or emotional states rather than general changeability
imbalance
vsunbalance
86 4.2

When different parts are not equal in amount or power

refers specifically to mental or emotional lack of balance rather than structural unevenness
derangement
vsunbalance
  • Specialized
1 8.5

A severe state when someone cannot think clearly or control their mind

is a less extreme form of emotional or mental instability
disequilibrium
vsunbalance
  • Specialized
1 8.6

A lack of balance in a body or system that makes it unsteady

applies the idea to feelings and mind rather than to systems or forces
mental unsoundness
vsunbalance
  • Formal
8.5

A state where a person's mind is not working well and they cannot think or act normally

is a state of emotional instability rather than complete disorientation
unsoundness
vsunbalance
7.4

A state in which a person is not healthy in mind or body

focuses specifically on emotional or mental instability rather than physical illness
unsettlement
vsunbalance
6.1

A feeling of being worried and not calm

is more about ongoing emotional instability than temporary unease
unsettledness
vsunbalance
5.9

A feeling of worry that makes you unable to relax

centres more on internal emotional instability rather than situation resolution

Antonyms

698 2.5

A situation where different things are in the right amount and are stable

363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

How Stable

stability
363 3.1
unbalance
6.8
disturbance
  • Specialized
18 4.1
unease
19 4.4

Surface Forms

unbalance singular
unbalances plural

Morphology

unbalance = balance (transparent) = un + balance

Meaning is the straightforward negation of 'balance' (stability), so learners can infer 'lack of balance' or instability.

Etymology

Unbalance comes from un- 'not' and balance 'steady or even'. So a mental unbalance is like a mind that is not steady, like a scale that keeps tipping to one side.