lopsidedness

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'lopsidedness' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an uneven balance between two things. For example, "The lopsidedness of our relationship became evident when he started doing all the cooking and I stopped doing any chores at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

The very lopsidedness of the casualties, with more than 170 Palestinians killed and less than 20 Israelis, has won the Palestinian cause fresh sympathy.

The Economist

The battle of the titans gives way to a comedy of lopsidedness: the thug is oafish, the referee is neat and pallid; the thug is a roguish crowd-charmer, the referee a timid creature of the rule book.

The Economist

In Europe, where banks have trimmed investment banking even more, the situation is if anything worse.The result of this lopsidedness, pessimists say, are events like the "flash crash" last year, during which yields on Treasuries suddenly tumbled by 0.34 percentage points for no apparent reason an extraordinary shift for the bedrock security of the global financial system.

The Economist

For, as Jack Windig and Soren Nylin, two zoologists at the University of Stockholm, report in the latest edition of the Proceedings of the Royal Society, in this case lopsidedness probably helps the butterflies to get a mate, by being better at flying in circles.Speckled-woods are a familiar sight to anyone who has walked through a European wood in the summer.

The Economist

Four factors cause this disjunction between perception and reality.Always look on the dark side of lifeOne is the lopsidedness built into scientific research.

The Economist

These go beyond a certain unpleasantness and the lopsidedness of the recovery.

The Economist

A culture of speculation and debt on Wall Street was beginning to suffer from its own lopsidedness, with unprecedented fortunes in technology and finance accumulating at the top, and incomes in the middle flattening out, as blue-collar jobs moved offshore.

The New Yorker

Was the rooting lopsidedness a statement about how far the United States has to go as a soccer nation or a testament to the zeal of Mexican fans from south of the border and the Mexican-Americans who call Southern California home?

The New York Times - Sports

Computers figured into its production, as they do on virtually every movie made these days, but an enormous amount of handiwork was also involved, effort that's visible, for instance, in the meaningful lopsidedness of Norman's nostrils and ears.

The New York Times

His daughter, Deepa, said her father was concerned about the lopsidedness of growth in India, which had begun loosening government control over its economy in the early 1990s -- something that he had long advocated.

The New York Times

Only two Roland Garros semifinals can compare in lopsidedness: a 6-0, 6-0 victory by Chris Evert over Camille Benjamin in 1984, and Evert over Françoise Dürr, 6-1, 6-0, in 1973.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lopsidedness", consider whether a more specific term like "asymmetry" or "imbalance" might be more precise in your context. While "lopsidedness" often implies a visual or structural imbalance, other terms can capture more nuanced forms of inequality.

Common error

Avoid using "lopsidedness" when referring to abstract concepts where a sense of physical imbalance doesn't apply. For instance, using it to describe an unfair law would be incorrect; terms like "inequitable" or "biased" would be more suitable.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "lopsidedness" is as a noun. It refers to the state or quality of being lopsided, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in describing imbalances in various contexts, such as casualties in a conflict or talent distribution.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "lopsidedness" functions as a noun describing a state of imbalance or asymmetry. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. Its usage implies a noticeable unevenness or disproportion. While alternatives like "imbalance" and "asymmetry" exist, each carries subtle differences in connotation. When writing, be mindful of the specific nuance you want to convey and select the most appropriate term. Remember, "lopsidedness" is most effective when describing situations with a clear sense of disproportion or skewedness, particularly in visual or structural contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

imbalance

Focuses on the lack of equilibrium, without necessarily implying a skewed or tilted appearance.

asymmetry

Highlights the lack of symmetry, often in a more technical or formal context.

unevenness

Emphasizes the lack of uniformity or equality.

disproportion

Stresses an imbalance in size or degree.

skewedness

Indicates a deviation from what is considered normal or expected.

inequality

Highlights the lack of equality, often in a social or economic context.

lack of balance

A more descriptive phrase that directly states the absence of equilibrium.

one-sidedness

Emphasizes that something favors one side or aspect over others.

irregularity

Draws attention to the lack of regularity or conformity.

disparity

Highlights a significant difference or gap between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "lopsidedness" in a sentence?

You can use "lopsidedness" to describe a state of being uneven or asymmetrical. For example, "The "lopsidedness" of the casualties in the conflict drew international concern."

What are some alternatives to "lopsidedness"?

Alternatives to "lopsidedness" include "imbalance", "asymmetry", and "disproportion". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "lopsidedness" formal or informal language?

"Lopsidedness" is generally considered neutral in register and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more precise or technical terms like "asymmetry" may be preferred in highly formal writing.

What does "lopsidedness" imply beyond simple imbalance?

"Lopsidedness" often implies a noticeable or even awkward imbalance, suggesting that one side is significantly out of proportion compared to the other. It often has a visual connotation.