unbalanced

American  

[uhn-bal-uhnst] / ʌnˈbæl ənst /

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.

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unbalanced British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of unbalanced

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

Example Sentences

The rising Chinese competition has added to concerns the economic relationship between China and Europe is unbalanced, and has fuelled calls for businesses to "de-risk", mainly by expanding into other markets.

From Barron's

"My load is unbalanced, I find, and I need to carry your pack as well as my own to even the weight, if you do not object."

From Literature

At world’s busiest port, China’s unbalanced economy comes into view.

From MarketWatch

But there is no serious dispute about its scale or how far it has unbalanced the markets.

From MarketWatch

“I couldn’t be Nicolas’ roots because I was completely uprooted, unbalanced, lost in that crazy world,” she explained years later.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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