unbalanced

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "unbalanced" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is not even or symmetrical. For example, "The athlete's performance was unbalanced, as she scored significantly more points in the second half of the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two minutes later Schürrle stepped inside from the right himself after Nemanja Matic had stolen the ball, unbalanced Laurent Koscielny with a slight shuffle, and shot low into the same corner.

The Guardian - Sport

Critics say the trade is unbalanced because China buys commodities and sells higher-value goods.

The Guardian

Not only is the overall picture discouraging, but also what recovery there is remains unbalanced.

The Economist

That will leave the British constitution looking distinctly unbalanced.

The Economist

But it was also because Germany was recycling the surpluses produced by its export machine, financing their consumption.Germany's economy is remarkable in many ways, but it was as unbalanced as the euro zone's peripheral economies.

The Economist

And over the past ten years net exports accounted, on average, for only one-tenth of its growth.The problem is more that the mix of domestic demand between consumption and investment is unbalanced, and becoming even more so.

The Economist

In the long run that is likely to encourage migration (or trafficking) of women, possibly crime and instability, and perhaps also slower overall population growth.India's population growth is unbalanced in another way.

The Economist

The firm's product line-up was also unbalanced, with a deluge of new models launched within a few months, which made marketing difficult.

The Economist

Britain, the only big west European country that could have joined the oil producers' club OPEC, the country that used to lecture the world about energy liberalisation, is heading towards South African-style power cuts, with homes and factories plunged intermittently into third-world darkness.In this section America's unjust sex laws Unbalanced Germany How long till the lights go out?

The Economist

At worst, it has wasted time and ducked the main problem, which is that the German rescue plan is fatally unbalanced towards austerity and adjustment by deficit countries instead of growth and adjustment by surplus countries.The continuing emphasis on pro-cyclical fiscal austerity at a time of recession looks unwise.

The Economist

Other countries are following America's example, either importing Megan's laws or increasing penalties: after two little girls were murdered by a school caretaker, Britain has imposed multiple conditions on who can visit schools.In this section America's unjust sex laws Unbalanced Germany How long till the lights go out?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "unbalanced" to describe an economy or system, specify the area of imbalance (e.g. "unbalanced growth", "unbalanced trade").

Common error

Avoid using "unbalanced" to describe something that is simply tilted or leaning. Use words like "tilted", "leaning", or "askew" instead, as "unbalanced" often implies a more significant or inherent instability.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unbalanced" primarily functions to describe a state of disequilibrium, inequity, or instability. Ludwig examples show it used to modify nouns such as "economy", "trade", "budget", and "growth", indicating a deviation from a desired evenness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "unbalanced" serves as an adjective signifying a lack of equilibrium, fairness, or stability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. Occurring frequently in news, formal business writing, and scientific analysis, the word describes diverse subjects ranging from economies and trade to budgets and mental states. Related terms include "lopsided", "uneven", and "disproportionate". Effective use involves specifying the area of imbalance, while misuse typically occurs when describing simple physical asymmetries.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of balance

A more explicit and descriptive way of saying something lacks equilibrium.

uneven

Describes a lack of uniformity or evenness; less extreme than "unbalanced".

lopsided

Implies a distinct lack of symmetry, with one side being significantly heavier or larger.

unequal

Focuses on a disparity in quantity, size, or value; often used in discussions of fairness.

asymmetrical

Describes a lack of symmetry, often in a visual or spatial context.

unstable

Focuses on the lack of stability or predictability; implies a risk of collapse or change.

unfair

Emphasizes the injustice or inequity of a situation.

disproportionate

Highlights that the ratio or relationship between things is not equal.

biased

Suggests a prejudice or inclination towards a particular viewpoint or outcome.

skewed

Indicates that something is distorted or misrepresented, leading to an inaccurate or "unbalanced" view.

FAQs

How can I use "unbalanced" in a sentence?

You can use "unbalanced" to describe something that lacks equilibrium, such as "The economy is becoming increasingly unbalanced" or "The referee's decisions were clearly unbalanced."

What's the difference between "unbalanced" and "uneven"?

"Unbalanced" implies a lack of equilibrium or proportion, while "uneven" suggests a lack of uniformity or smoothness. An "unbalanced" load may tip over, while an "uneven" surface may be bumpy.

What can I say instead of "unbalanced"?

Alternatives to "unbalanced" include "lopsided", "disproportionate", or "out of balance" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to describe a person as "unbalanced"?

Yes, it is correct, but can be considered offensive. Using "unbalanced" to describe a person means they are mentally unstable or irrational. Consider alternatives like "disturbed" or "unhinged" depending on the context.