Unbalanced: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe something that lacks symmetry, equality, or fairness. It can refer to emotional states or physical states.

• The financial report was unbalanced, showing more expenses than income
• After the argument, he felt emotionally unbalanced

Used to describe something that is not steady, secure, or consistent, often referring to physical objects, mental states, or situations.

• The old bridge is unstable and needs repairs
• She felt mentally unstable after the stressful events

Typically defines someone who is mentally agitated or emotionally troubled. It has a negative connotation.

• The movie left me feeling disturbed
• He was clearly disturbed by the bad news

This word is often used to describe something that is not calm, fixed, or resolved, often referring to emotional or situational states.

• After hearing about the layoffs, he felt unsettled
• The weather has been unsettled all week, with frequent changes

Used to describe something that lacks harmony, proportion or stability, often referring to mental or emotional states or to physical objects.

• Her emotions have been unbalanced since the incident
• The washing machine became unbalanced and started to make loud noises

Describes something that is not level, smooth, or regular, often referring to surfaces or distributions.

• The path was uneven, making it hard to walk
• The competition was uneven, with one team far stronger than the others

Applies to something that lacks firmness, stability, or balance, often referring to movements or positions.

• Her steps were unsteady after she twisted her ankle
• The ladder felt unsteady and wobbled as he climbed up

Used when something is uneven or disproportionately weighted towards one side, appearing crooked or tilted.

• The picture on the wall looks lopsided
• He has a lopsided grin, with one side of his mouth higher than the other