Unbalanced Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unbalanced

[สŒnหˆbรฆlษ™nst ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

mental state

Not mentally or emotionally stable; disturbed.

Synonyms

disturbed, unsettled, unstable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unbalanced

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
unstable

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
disturbed

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
unsettled

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

Examples of usage

  • The stress of work has left her feeling unbalanced.
  • His unbalanced mind led to irrational decisions and behavior.
Context #2 | Adjective

physical state

Not even or symmetrical; not balanced.

Synonyms

lopsided, uneven, unsteady.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unbalanced

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
uneven

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
unsteady

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
lopsided

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

Examples of usage

  • The unbalanced load caused the truck to tip over.
  • The unbalanced distribution of weight made the shelf collapse.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • An unbalanced lifestyle can lead to increased stress levels and affect mental well-being, as one area of life overwhelms another.
  • Psychologists suggest that feeling unbalanced in your emotions may lead to anxiety or depression.
  • In cognitive behavioral therapy, achieving balance in thoughts and feelings can help restore a person's emotional health.

Mathematics

  • In math, an unbalanced equation means the two sides don't have the same value, highlighting differences in relationships.
  • An unbalanced force in physics refers to unequal forces acting on an object, causing it to move or change direction.
  • To achieve balance in algebra, the principles of maintaining equality on both sides of an equation are crucial.

Sociology

  • An unbalanced society often refers to unequal distribution of resources, leading to social tensions and disparities.
  • Gender unbalance in workplaces can lead to unfair treatment and hindered opportunities for many individuals.
  • In community dynamics, when one group dominates others, it creates social stratification, which is considered unbalanced.

Art

  • In art, unbalanced compositions can create tension and draw the viewer's attention, giving works a dynamic feel.
  • Artists sometimes intentionally create unbalanced scenes to evoke emotions or emphasize certain elements.
  • The concept of balance in visual art can reflect harmony, while unbalanced designs can represent conflict or change.

Origin of 'unbalanced'

Main points about word origin

  • 'Unbalanced' comes from adding 'un-' (meaning not) to 'balanced', which means to be steady or equal.
  • The root 'balance' dates back to Latin 'bilanx', meaning having two scales, reflecting the idea of weighing things evenly.
  • The prefix 'un-' signifies negation, so 'unbalanced' directly translates to 'not weighed equally'.

The word 'unbalanced' originated from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'balanced', which comes from the Old French word 'balencier' meaning 'to weigh'. The concept of balance has been a fundamental aspect of human life, both in physical and mental contexts. The prefix 'un-' is commonly used to indicate negation or reversal of the following word, emphasizing the lack of balance in the case of 'unbalanced'.


See also: balance, balanced, balancer, balancing, counterbalance, counterbalancing, imbalance, imbalanced, unbalance.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,385, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.