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Glite Dictionary
⚖️ Not stable ⛏️ Low-pressure drilling
underbalanced

underbalanced

6.7
Not steady enough to stay in place when moving
  • adjective
  • /ˌʌndərˈbælənst/
translation icon : desbalanceado
  • During the storm, the boat was severely underbalanced, making it difficult to steer.

Examples

  • If the load is underbalanced, the machine might tip over while in use.

  • The design was underbalanced, causing the structure to sway during high winds.

  • Do the numbers, I'm pretty sure you'll find a severe underbalanced condition.

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Synonyms

unbalanced
vsunderbalanced
14 3.8

Not steady in position, health, or feeling

emphasizes insufficient stability for correct operation or use
imbalanced
vsunderbalanced
8 4.6

Not even in the way parts or people are placed

is about having insufficient stability for correct operation or function
ill-proportioned
vsunderbalanced
6.7

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

refers to lacking the necessary stability or correct functioning rather than appearance

Antonyms

balanced
101 1.0

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

How Balanced

balanced
101 1.0
stable
473 2.3
underbalanced
6.7
lopsided
19 4.3

Surface Forms

underbalanced positive

Morphology

underbalanced = balanced (transparent) = under + balance + ed

The prefix 'under-' clearly indicates a deficiency or lack of balance, making the meaning straightforward.

Etymology

Underbalanced is made of under ('below' or 'not enough') and balance ('even' or 'stable'), so it literally means 'not enough balance'. That's why an underbalanced engine or load can vibrate and feel unstable.