imbalance
lack of equality or proportion
A situation where two or more things are not equal in size, number, or power.
an imbalance in [something] between [group] and [group]
- The report highlights a serious gender imbalance in the tech industry.
- A growing trade imbalance has raised concerns among economists.
- There is a clear power imbalance between employers and interns.
- New policies aim to correct the imbalance between rich and poor regions.
- This funding imbalance threatens the future of rural schools.
- There is a big gender imbalance in this company.
- The trade imbalance between the two countries is getting worse.
- We must fix the power imbalance in this relationship.
- The government is trying to reduce the income imbalance in the city.
- This law was made to address the imbalance between large and small businesses.
state of not being physically steady
A state where a body or object is not steady and may fall or move in a wrong way.
an imbalance in [body part/object] causes [problem]
- An inner ear imbalance can make you feel dizzy and off-balance.
- A muscle imbalance in your legs can increase the risk of injury.
- The mechanic said a tire imbalance was causing the vibration in the steering wheel.
- Poor posture can create an imbalance in the spine over time.
- An ear imbalance can make you feel very dizzy.
- A muscle imbalance in your back can cause pain.
- The table has an imbalance and shakes when we eat.
- Wearing very heavy bags on one side can cause an imbalance in your shoulders.
abnormal levels of chemicals or hormones
A situation where the level of chemicals or hormones in the body is not normal or healthy.
an imbalance of [substance] in the body
- Doctors believe her symptoms are caused by a hormonal imbalance.
- Some forms of depression are linked to a chemical imbalance in the brain.
- Dehydration can lead to a dangerous electrolyte imbalance.
- Medication may help correct the imbalance of thyroid hormones.
- The doctor said she has a hormonal imbalance.
- A chemical imbalance in the brain can affect mood.
- An electrolyte imbalance can be very serious.
- This medicine helps to fix the imbalance of hormones in his body.
- Base: imbalance
- Plural: imbalance, imbalances
address the imbalance
1deal with an unequal situation
To try to deal with or solve a problem where things are not equal or fair.
- The organization was created to address the imbalance in education between urban and rural areas.
- More investment is needed to address the imbalance in healthcare services.
chemical imbalance
1abnormal body or brain chemistry
A state where the level of chemicals in the body or brain is not normal or healthy.
- Some mental illnesses are associated with a chemical imbalance in the brain.
- The doctor explained that a chemical imbalance might be causing his mood swings.
correct the imbalance
1fix an unequal situation
To change something so that two or more sides become more equal again.
- They hired more women to correct the imbalance on the board.
- The treatment aims to correct the imbalance of chemicals in the patient’s blood.
ecological imbalance
1disturbed balance in an ecosystem
A problem in nature where plants, animals, and the environment are no longer in a healthy balance.
- Overfishing has created a serious ecological imbalance in the region.
- Pollution can lead to ecological imbalance and loss of biodiversity.
gender imbalance
1unequal numbers or roles of genders
A situation where there are many more men than women, or more women than men, in a group or area, or where one gender has more power.
- There is a clear gender imbalance in senior management positions.
- The university is working to reduce the gender imbalance in engineering programs.
hormonal imbalance
1abnormal hormone levels in body
A state where the body makes too much or too little of certain hormones.
- Acne can sometimes be linked to a hormonal imbalance.
- She visited an endocrinologist to find out whether a hormonal imbalance was causing her fatigue.
hormonal imbalance
1uneven hormone levels
a problem with the amount of hormones in the body
- A hormonal imbalance can cause tiredness, weight changes, or irregular periods.
- Blood tests may help show whether she has a hormonal imbalance.
- Not every mood change is caused by a hormonal imbalance.
power imbalance
1unequal distribution of power
A situation where one person or group has a lot more control or power than another person or group.
- A power imbalance between teacher and student can make it hard to report abuse.
- The contract was criticized because of the power imbalance between the company and its workers.
redress the imbalance
1take action to correct inequality
To do something to make an unfair or unequal situation more fair or equal.
- The new law is intended to redress the imbalance between landlords and tenants.
- Scholarships have been introduced to redress the imbalance in access to higher education.
trade imbalance
1unequal imports and exports
A situation where a country buys much more from other countries than it sells to them, or the opposite.
- The trade imbalance with China has become a major political issue.
- A large trade imbalance can put pressure on a country’s currency.