disequilibrium: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “disequilibrium” mean?
A loss or lack of stability, balance, or equilibrium in a system or state.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A loss or lack of stability, balance, or equilibrium in a system or state.
An unstable, disturbed, or imbalanced state in physiological, economic, psychological, or social systems, often implying a temporary departure from a normal or preferred state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or pronunciation differences. Usage is identical across both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American academic writing, especially in economics and psychology.
Grammar
How to Use “disequilibrium” in a Sentence
disequilibrium in [noun]disequilibrium between [noun] and [noun]a state of disequilibriumVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “disequilibrium” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The policy is designed to disequilibrate the opponent's economic strategy.
- Shocks to the system can disequilibrate even stable markets.
American English
- The new tax law could disequilibrate the housing market.
- Rapid innovation often disequilibrates established industries.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form for 'disequilibrium'.]
- [N/A]
American English
- [No standard adverb form for 'disequilibrium'.]
- [N/A]
adjective
British English
- [Very rare as adjective. Use 'disequilibrating' as a participle adjective, e.g., 'disequilibrating forces']
American English
- [Very rare as adjective. Use 'disequilibrating' as a participle adjective, e.g., 'a disequilibrating event']
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to imbalances in markets, trade, or financial systems (e.g., 'a disequilibrium in supply and demand').
Academic
Used in economics, psychology (Piaget's cognitive development), political science, and physics to describe systems out of balance.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used metaphorically to describe a personal or social feeling of instability.
Technical
Precise term in systems theory, medicine (e.g., vestibular disequilibrium), and macroeconomics.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “disequilibrium”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “disequilibrium”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “disequilibrium”
- Using it for simple physical unsteadiness (use 'dizziness' or 'imbalance').
- Confusing it with 'disparity' (which is just a difference, not necessarily a systemic instability).
- Misspelling as 'disequillibrium' (double 'l').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Disequilibrium' is more formal and typically describes a dynamic, systemic instability (e.g., in an economy or ecosystem). 'Imbalance' is more general and can describe simpler, static inequalities (e.g., a muscle imbalance, an imbalance of power).
It is neutral in technical contexts, describing a state. However, it often has negative connotations in everyday use because stability is usually preferred. In developmental psychology (Piaget), it is a necessary and positive driver of growth.
The direct verb 'to disequilibrium' is extremely rare and not standard. The related verb is 'to disequilibrate,' but it is highly specialized. It is much more common to use phrases like 'cause disequilibrium in' or 'throw into disequilibrium.'
Economics is the most frequent domain, especially in discussions of macroeconomic models, trade, and market forces. It is also fundamental in Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development in psychology.
A loss or lack of stability, balance, or equilibrium in a system or state.
Disequilibrium is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Disequilibrium: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɪs.iː.kwɪˈlɪb.ri.əm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɪs.iː.kwəˈlɪb.ri.əm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The word itself is technical.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DIS + EQUILIBRIUM. 'Dis-' means 'not' or 'away from.' So, it's literally 'not in equilibrium' or 'away from balance.'
Conceptual Metaphor
BALANCE IS STABILITY / IMBALANCE IS INSTABILITY; A SYSTEM IS A SCALE.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is 'disequilibrium' LEAST likely to be used?