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equilibrium

equilibrium

35 6.8
A state of balance between opposite forces
  • noun
  • /ˌiːkwɪˈlɪbriəm/
translation icon : equilibrio
  • And there was this sense of equilibrium and poise and harmony.
  • restore equilibrium
  • reach equilibrium
  • maintain equilibrium

He tells us that ideality is the equilibrium of opposites.

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Examples

  • Clearly he was a man whose equilibrium did not tilt easily, and Martin found himself admiring that.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • After years of conflict, the two sides finally achieved equilibrium in their negotiations.

  • So that will shift the equilibrium point earlier in life.

  • All of these things are affected in equilibrium prices and rates of return.

  • I have no concerns at all about her mental equilibrium, nor, I am sure, does she.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • And let's look at the equilibrium of this system.

  • One step closer to economic equilibrium.

  • The oceans, no longer boiling, began to cool and settle, and finally an equilibrium was reached.

  • These things must be seen as irrelevant, they must not be allowed to affect one's mental equilibrium.

  • As power shifts, then you know wars are the way in which new equilibria settle themselves.

Synonyms

balance
vsequilibrium
698 2.5

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

is focused on steadiness between opposing forces rather than equal proportions
stability
vsequilibrium
363 3.1

Being steady and not likely to change

focuses on balance between opposing forces rather than mere consistency
stasis
vsequilibrium
  • Formal
5 8.2

A situation with little change because two sides balance each other

is about balance between opposing forces, not only the lack of change
equipoise
vsequilibrium
  • Formal
1 8.8

A balance between two things or forces

is about steady balance between opposing influences rather than exact equal distribution

Antonyms

438 3.1

A situation with no order where people are confused and cannot act normally

114 5.1

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

disequilibrium
  • Specialized
1 8.6

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

Compounds

chemical equilibrium
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A state in a reaction where forward and reverse reactions happen equally so amounts stay constant

1 9.2

A theory that species change quickly in short bursts and then stay the same for long periods

Nash equilibrium
  • Specialized
1 9.4

A situation where no player can gain by changing only their own choice while others keep theirs the same

thermal equilibrium
  • Specialized
1 6.4

A state where all parts have the same temperature and no heat flows between them

equilibrium constant
  • Specialized
5.5

A number showing the amount of products compared with reactants when a chemical reaction stops changing

equilibrium law
  • Specialized
7.7

A chemistry rule that the forward and backward reaction speeds have a fixed ratio at equilibrium

acid-base equilibrium
  • Specialized
4.8

A balance of acids and bases in the body that keeps it working

6.5

A rule that in a reversible chemical reaction the forward and reverse reactions happen at the same rate at equilibrium

sense of equilibrium
  • Specialized
6.0

Parts of the inner ear that tell you your head position and keep you balanced

Long periods of little change followed by short, fast bursts of new species forming

Study of how heat and energy behave in systems that have the same temperature

How Balanced

stability
363 3.1
equilibrium
35 6.8
balance
698 2.5
imbalance
86 4.2

Surface Forms

equilibrium singular
equilibriums plural
equilibria plural

Etymology

Equilibrium comes from two Latin parts, aequus meaning 'equal' and libra meaning 'scales'. So think of 'equal scales' — that image helps remember it means a balance or stable state between opposing forces.