unbalanced

American  

[uhn-bal-uhnst] / ʌnˈbæl ənst /

adjective

1. not balanced or not properly 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 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

---

Etymology

Origin of unbalanced

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

Explanation

When something is unbalanced, it's uneven or unstable. If your weight on a surfboard is unbalanced, you risk falling off. Things can be physically unbalanced, like a seesaw with only one kid on it, or more figuratively unbalanced. For example, your mom might think you have an unbalanced diet if you rarely eat vegetables, and you'd describe your high school education as unbalanced if you didn't take any math classes. Another way to be unbalanced is to be mentally ill or emotionally disturbed.

Example Sentences

Unbalanced because of inefficient ballasting and overcrowded too, the Joola was in no state to survive the heavy storm that hit it just off the coast of The Gambia and after capsizing, it soon sank.

From BBC • Dec. 2, 2022

Unbalanced but still able to make a clean first-time connection, Mateo Kovacic volleyed impressively into the top corner off the inside of the post.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 2, 2022

Q. Unbalanced Cousin: I'm deeply conflicted about the relationship I have with my cousin.

From Slate • Mar. 19, 2012

Unbalanced access agreements between the EU and other countries are nothing new, says Michael Weber, a fisheries policy analyst at the Resources Law Group in Sacramento, California, who was not involved in the current study.

From Science Magazine • Feb. 20, 2012

Unbalanced by hunger, despair and rage, his kindly face was drawn and bore the pallor of death.

From Fairfax and His Pride by Vorst, Marie Van

Related Words

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