unbalance

American  

[uhn-bal-uhns] / ʌnˈbæl əns /

verb (used with object)

unbalanced, unbalancing

1. to throw or put out of balance.

2. to disorder or derange, as the mind.

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noun

1. unbalanced condition.

unbalance British  

/ ʌnˈbæləns /

verb

1. to upset the equilibrium or balance of

2. to disturb the mental stability of (a person or his mind)

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noun

1. imbalance or instability

Other Word Forms

• unbalanceable adjective

Etymology

Origin of unbalance

First recorded in 1580–90; un- ² + balance

Explanation

To unbalance is to make unsteady or uneven. A sudden gust of wind might unbalance you when you're on a sailboat — don't forget to wear a life jacket! Throw something off balance, and you unbalance it. Tickling someone who's in a one-legged yoga stance will unbalance them, and leaning too far to one side will unbalance a new bike rider. You can also call this state of being out of kilter or wobbly unbalance: "The unbalance of the tightrope walker made me glad there was a net underneath him!" And figuratively, unbalance can also mean "disturb or upset."

Example Sentences

“That’s something we need on this team, players that will unbalance defenses and open up gaps to be able to play through teams.”

From Seattle Times • Feb. 23, 2024

Paralluelo's mastery with both feet allowed her to link up play or unbalance defenders.

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2023

He rejected any suggestion that such financial support for a specific investigation could unbalance the court's caseload.

From Reuters • Mar. 14, 2022

At every opportunity, she tried using her creativity and speed to unbalance Chicago.

From Washington Post • Nov. 20, 2021

The building shook mightily, with enough force to unbalance several terrified Clock Watchers, toppling them.

From "The Last Last-Day-of-Summer" by Lamar Giles