unbalance
C1Formal, academic, technical, literary. Less common in casual speech than 'imbalance' for the noun form.
Definition
Meaning
to cause something to lose balance, stability, or proportion; to make something no longer steady, equal, or harmonious.
The state of being out of equilibrium or having disproportionate elements, which can apply to physical objects, mental states, systems, budgets, or power dynamics.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies an active process of causing instability or a resultant state that is dysfunctional. As a verb, it's causative. Contrast with 'imbalance' (noun), which typically describes a static state of inequality.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical. Slight preference in UK English for 'throw off balance' in physical contexts. US English may use 'unbalance' more readily in financial/technical reports.
Connotations
In both, carries a negative connotation of instability, potential danger, or inefficiency.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both; the noun 'imbalance' is significantly more common than 'unbalance'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Verb] unbalance + object (The news unbalanced her.)[Noun] an unbalance + of/in + something (an unbalance of power)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Throw off balance (more common than 'unbalance' in physical sense)”
- “Tip the scales”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Referring to budgets, trade deficits, or market forces that disrupt equilibrium. 'The sudden tariff threatened to unbalance the entire supply chain.'
Academic
In physics, psychology, or sociology to describe systemic or cognitive instability. 'The experiment aimed to unbalance the participants' cognitive load.'
Everyday
Less common. Might describe a physical stumble or a surprising event. 'The strong gust almost unbalanced the cyclist.'
Technical
In engineering, mechanics, or electronics to describe asymmetric forces or loads. 'The worn bearing caused an unbalance in the rotating assembly.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The unexpected resignation will unbalance the entire project timeline.
- Adding that clause could unbalance the carefully negotiated agreement.
American English
- The new evidence unbalanced the prosecution's case.
- We must not unbalance the ecosystem with invasive species.
adjective
British English
- He gave a rather unbalanced account of the events, focusing only on the negatives.
- The washing machine is loud because the load is unbalanced.
American English
- The report was criticized for its unbalanced perspective.
- An unbalanced wheel causes vibration at high speed.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Don't lean too far or you will unbalance the canoe.
- The sudden expense unbalanced our monthly budget.
- Political scandals can unbalance even the most stable governments.
- The researcher argued that the current tax policy risks unbalancing the labour market dynamics.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the prefix 'UN-' (not) + BALANCE. Picture someone removing a weight from one side of a set of scales, causing it to become 'UN-BALANCED'.
Conceptual Metaphor
BALANCE IS HEALTH/STABILITY; UNBALANCE IS SICKNESS/DANGER. (e.g., An unbalanced mind, an unbalanced budget).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque from Russian 'разбалансировать' in all contexts; often 'disrupt' or 'destabilize' is more natural. The noun 'unbalance' is rare; prefer 'imbalance' (дисбаланс) or 'instability'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'unbalance' as the default noun (use 'imbalance').
- Confusing 'unbalanced' (adj.) with 'imbalanced' (adj.) – 'unbalanced' is more common for mental state; 'imbalanced' for static proportions.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'unbalance' used INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Imbalance' is the far more common and preferred noun for describing a state of inequality or lack of proportion. 'Unbalance' as a noun is rare and often considered non-standard in modern usage.
They are often interchangeable, but 'unbalanced' strongly suggests a causative agent ('made unbalanced') and is the preferred term for mental/emotional instability. 'Imbalanced' often describes an inherent, static lack of proportion, like 'imbalanced nutrients'.
Extremely rarely. Its core meaning involves losing stability, which is nearly always negative. A possible positive use might be in competitive strategy: 'The innovative tactic unbalanced the favoured opponent.'
Yes, it tends toward formal, academic, or technical registers. In everyday speech, phrases like 'throw off balance', 'upset', or 'mess up' are more common.