overbalance

[ verb oh-ver-bal-uhns; noun oh-ver-bal-uhns ]

verb (used with object)

, o·ver·bal·anced, o·ver·bal·anc·ing.

1. to outweigh:

   The opportunity overbalances the disadvantages of leaving town.

2. to cause to lose balance or to fall or turn over:

   He accidentally overbalanced a vase.

noun

1. an excessive weight or amount.
2. something that more than balances or more than equals:

   An overbalance of imports depleted the country's treasury.

overbalance

verb

1. to lose or cause to lose balance
2. tr another word for outweigh

noun

1. excess of weight, value, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of overbalance¹

First recorded in 1600–10; over- + balance

Example Sentences

Linda Deegan, who had studied coastal ecology at the Marine Biological laboratory in Woodshole, Massachusetts found that overbalance of nitrogen makes marsh plants grow taller and leafier, but with fewer, weaker roots.

From Slate

This book is important and in certain ways I admired Barnett’s decision to overbalance her and her clients’ struggles with joy.

From New York Times

Beats Labuschagne, challenges his pads, then has the batsman flick to short leg and overbalance...

From The Guardian

Immediately I’d try to fix it by shifting my weight to the other side, but often I’d go too far and overbalance.

From Literature

About halfway I started to overbalance and swung my legs backward to keep from tipping over.

From Literature

Related Words

• bump
• collapse
• collide
• ditch
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• overturn
• plunge
• slip
• smash
• topple
• tumble