unbalanced

[uhn-bal-uhnst]

adjective

1. not balanced balanced or not properly balanced. balanced.

2. lacking steadiness and soundness of judgment.

3. mentally disordered; deranged.

   Synonyms: irrational, unsound, disturbed

4. (of an account) not adjusted; not brought to an equality of debits and credits.

5. Football.,  of or relating to an offensive line formation having more than three linemen on one side of the center.

unbalanced

/ ʌnˈbælənst /

adjective

1. lacking balance

2. irrational or unsound; erratic

3. mentally disordered or deranged

4. biased; one-sided

   unbalanced reporting

5. (in double-entry book-keeping) not having total debit balances equal to total credit balances

6. electronics (of signals or circuitry) not symmetrically disposed about earth or zero reference potential

Word History and Origins

Origin of unbalanced¹

First recorded in 1640–50; un- ¹ + balanced

Example Sentences

The campaign was tough, she says, partly because of what she calls unbalanced coverage by the British media including the BBC and partly because Salmond left her to do much of the heavy lifting.

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It is also strong on the unbalanced nature of their relationship, with a friend of Andrew's describing the prince's dealings with Epstein as "like putting a rattlesnake in an aquarium with a mouse".

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But so far, the courts have held, for the most part, to their responsibility to be a check on this unbalanced administration.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Slattery’s Walker, brilliant and unbalanced, with shades of his mentally ill mother, is the most troubled.

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"The history of farm murders in the country has always been distorted and reported in an unbalanced way," he said.

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Related Words

• irregular 
• lopsided 
• top-heavy 
• unequal 
• uneven 
• unstable 
• unsteady 
• wobbly