If there is an imbalance in a situation, the things involved are not the same size, or are not the right size in proportion to each other.
...the imbalance between the two sides in this war. [+ between]
...an international strategy to reduce trade imbalances.
[Also + in]
Synonyms: unevenness, bias, inequality, unfairness More Synonyms of imbalance
imbalance in British English
(ɪmˈbæləns)
noun
a lack of balance, as in emphasis, proportion, etc
the political imbalance of the programme
imbalance in American English
(ɪmˈbæləns)
noun
lack of balance, as in proportion, force, functioning, etc.
COBUILD Collocations
imbalance
gender imbalance
Examples of 'imbalance' in a sentence
imbalance
These are interesting ideas but they will not address the long-term imbalance between supply and demand.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Second, there is a strong case to reduce payments imbalances within the G20 by adopting specific policies.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There was clearly a huge trade imbalance.
Grenville, J. A. S. The Collins History of the World in the 20th Century (1994)
We must do more to right this imbalance.
The Sun (2015)
We could probably get you off on the grounds of hormonal imbalance.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Those trade imbalances were one hidden issue at the summit.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They had a chemical imbalance in their brain.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The raw numbers point to an increasing social problem and not merely an economic imbalance.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The only way to redress the resulting imbalance has to include some form of integration.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The next chapter of globalisation will have to address this imbalance.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This is meant to cleanse my uterus and redress any hormonal imbalance.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
So how might investors play this global imbalance?
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
The investments in effect offset the trade imbalance caused by the funding of the arms deals.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Others can then write in to redress any imbalance.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
The lender said it was a chance to address the gender imbalance.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The one thing that links them all is a hormonal imbalance.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Behind the borrowing binge lay unstable global imbalances.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Or it may be more to do with a chemical imbalance in the brain.
The Sun (2013)
This is not a huge imbalance.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Second, there is the resultant increase in international financial imbalances.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
The imbalance in trade with Japan is an irritant and an embarrassment.
Chancellor, John Peril and Promise: A Commentary on America (1990)
Despite the underlying robustness of our expanding global economy, the instability of international imbalances continues to widen, and income gaps between and within countries continue to grow.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In other languages
imbalance
British English: imbalance NOUN
If there is an imbalance in a situation, the things involved are not the same size.
...the imbalance between the two sides in this war.
American English: imbalance
Brazilian Portuguese: desequilíbrio
Chinese: 不平衡
European Spanish: desequilibrio
French: déséquilibre
German: Unausgeglichenheit
Italian: squilibrio
Japanese: 不均衡
Korean: 불균형
European Portuguese: desequilíbrio
Latin American Spanish: desequilibrio
Chinese translation of 'imbalance'
imbalance
(ɪmˈbæləns)
n(c/u)
不平衡 (bù pínghéng)
(noun)
Definition
a lack of balance, for instance in emphasis or proportion
the imbalance between the two sides in this war
Synonyms
unevenness
bias
There were fierce attacks on the BBC for alleged political bias.
inequality
corruption and social inequality
unfairness
partiality
The judge was accused of partiality.
disproportion
There is a disproportion in resources available.
lopsidedness
top-heaviness
lack of proportion
Additional synonyms
in the sense of bias
Definition
mental tendency, esp. prejudice
There were fierce attacks on the BBC for alleged political bias.