Outbalanced Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

Psychology

• In decision-making, when a choice is outbalanced by a negative factor, it can lead to avoidance of that choice.
• Cognitive dissonance occurs when two beliefs or actions are outbalanced, leading to discomfort and prompting change.
• Social influences can dramatically outbalance personal views, affecting behaviors and choices in groups.

Sports

• In sports, strategies that outbalance the opponent's strengths often lead to victory, such as a strong defense against a fast offense.
• Athletes train to ensure their physical capabilities consistently outbalance their competitors’ weaknesses.
• In team sports, teamwork can outbalance individual talent, making collaboration crucial for success.

Economics

• Market forces can outbalance regulations, leading to shifts in economic dynamics that affect trade and industry.
• When supply outbalances demand, prices drop, indicating a surplus of products in markets.
• Fiscal policies are designed to outbalance inflation, aiming for stability in economic growth.

Literature

• In narratives, character dilemmas often portray outbalanced desires, driving the story’s tension and conflict.
• Many classic tragedies revolve around characters whose ambitions outbalance their morals, leading to downfall.
• Literature often explores themes of power and morality, where one ideal outbalances another, revealing human nature.

Main points about word origin

• The word comes from 'out' meaning beyond, and 'balanced,' which refers to stability or equality.
• It combines the prefix 'out-' with 'balanced,' indicating a shift away from balance, often used in competitive settings.
• First recorded use of ‘outbalanced’ dates back to the early 19th century, reflecting changing dynamics in society.

The term 'outbalanced' is derived from the combination of 'out-' which means 'to go beyond' or 'to surpass', and 'balanced', which comes from the Middle English 'balancen', relating to the act of making something equal or stable. The roots of 'balance' can be traced back to the Latin word 'bilanx', meaning 'having two scales'. Historically, balance has been associated with weighing things, whether it's literal weights or metaphorical concepts such as fairness and equity. The prefix 'out-' adds the element of excess or surpassing, creating a term that conveys not just stability, but the idea of one side overwhelmingly prevailing over another. This evolution reflects a shift toward comparative judgments in various contexts, from economics to personal relationships, where one aspect is seen as having greater importance or influence.