disequilibrium
gb/dɪsˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/ us/dɪsˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
C2
English
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C2
state
1
General imbalance or instability
a formal word for a lack of balance or a state of instability
Usage pattern:
[uncountable or singular] disequilibrium in/between [things]
Common mistake:
Do not confuse it with disease; disequilibrium means imbalance. In everyday speech, imbalance is usually more natural.
Synonyms
imbalance (more common and less formal)
|
instability (emphasizes lack of steadiness or predictability)
|
unbalance (less common as a noun and often physical or emotional)
Antonyms
equilibrium (the direct opposite: a balanced state)
|
balance (the everyday opposite)
|
stability (emphasizes steadiness and resistance to change)
Collocations
state of disequilibrium
|social disequilibrium
|political disequilibrium
|global disequilibrium
|dynamic disequilibrium
|temporary disequilibrium
|persistent disequilibrium
|create disequilibrium
|cause disequilibrium
|restore equilibrium
Themes
systems
|society
|change
Examples
- A sudden change in leadership can create disequilibrium throughout an organization.
- The story is set during a period of social disequilibrium after the war.
- The new technology disrupted established routines and left the industry in disequilibrium.
Learner examples
- The sudden change caused disequilibrium in the group.
- After the crisis, the country was in disequilibrium.
Noun
technical
C2
state
2
Supply-demand market imbalance
a situation where a market is out of balance because supply and demand do not match
Usage pattern:
[uncountable or singular] disequilibrium in [a market/economy]
Common mistake:
Do not use it for any bad economy; it specifically refers to a lack of balance, especially between supply and demand.
Synonyms
market imbalance (clearer and less technical)
|
mismatch (broader; emphasizes things not fitting together)
|
surplus or shortage (names common results of disequilibrium, not the whole condition)
Antonyms
market equilibrium (a state where supply and demand are balanced)
|
equilibrium price (the price at which the market clears)
|
market clearing (the process or condition in which supply equals demand)
Collocations
market disequilibrium
|economic disequilibrium
|supply-demand disequilibrium
|price disequilibrium
|labor-market disequilibrium
|persistent disequilibrium
|temporary disequilibrium
|disequilibrium model
|disequilibrium theory
|correct a disequilibrium
Themes
economics
|business
|markets
Examples
- If the price is set below the market-clearing level, demand exceeds supply and disequilibrium results.
- The labor market remained in disequilibrium, with many vacancies but not enough qualified workers.
- Temporary disequilibrium after a shock can push prices up or down.
Learner examples
- Too much demand can create disequilibrium in a market.
- The market was in disequilibrium because supply was too low.
Noun
technical
C2
state
3
Disturbed bodily balance
a medical word for feeling physically unsteady or unable to keep your balance
Usage pattern:
[uncountable] disequilibrium caused by [a condition/medicine]; complain of disequilibrium
Common mistake:
Disequilibrium is not exactly the same as vertigo; vertigo usually means a spinning sensation, while disequilibrium often means unsteadiness.
Synonyms
unsteadiness (more everyday and directly describes the feeling)
|
imbalance (common in medical and everyday contexts)
|
dizziness (broader; may include light-headedness or spinning)
Antonyms
balance (normal ability to stay steady)
|
steadiness (the absence of wobbling or unsteadiness)
|
equilibrium (medical or formal term for normal balance)
Collocations
vestibular disequilibrium
|postural disequilibrium
|sense of disequilibrium
|complain of disequilibrium
|episodes of disequilibrium
|disequilibrium and dizziness
|persistent disequilibrium
|cause disequilibrium
|inner-ear disequilibrium
Themes
medicine
|health
|body
Examples
- The inner-ear infection caused nausea and disequilibrium.
- Older adults may describe disequilibrium as feeling unsteady rather than dizzy.
- The doctor asked whether his disequilibrium was worse when he walked in the dark.
Learner examples
- She had disequilibrium and held the wall while walking.
- The medicine caused disequilibrium.
Grammar
Dictionary form
disequilibrium
IPA
GB/dɪsˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
US/dɪsˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
Syllables & stress
dis - equi - lib - ri - um (5 syllables)
Stress on 4th syllable (ri)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: disequilibrium
- Plural: disequilibriums
Expressions
cognitive disequilibrium
1/kˈɑɡnɪtɪv dɪsˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
technical
Conflict-driven learning uncertainty
a confused feeling that happens when new information does not fit what you already thought
Examples
- A surprising experiment can create cognitive disequilibrium and make students rethink their assumptions.
- Teachers sometimes use cognitive disequilibrium to encourage deeper learning.
- The discussion produced cognitive disequilibrium because it challenged the students' earlier explanations.
dialysis disequilibrium syndrome
1/daɪˈælɪsɪs dɪsˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm sˈɪndɹˌoʊm/
fixed phrase
technical
Dialysis-related neurological complication
a rare serious problem that can happen during or after dialysis
Examples
- The team monitored the patient for signs of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome after the first treatment.
- Headache, confusion, or seizures during dialysis may raise concern for dialysis disequilibrium syndrome.
- Slow initial dialysis can reduce the risk of dialysis disequilibrium syndrome in vulnerable patients.
general disequilibrium
1/d͡ʒˈɛnɚəl dɪsˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
technical
Economy-wide market nonclearing
an economic situation where many markets are out of balance at the same time
Examples
- The model treats unemployment as a case of general disequilibrium, with wages and prices adjusting slowly.
- General disequilibrium theory became influential in debates about how economies respond to shocks.
- During the crisis, several markets showed signs of general disequilibrium.
linkage disequilibrium
1/lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ dɪsˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
technical
non-random association of alleles
In genetics, a situation where certain versions of genes at different places on the chromosome appear together more or less often than expected by chance.
Examples
- They used patterns of linkage disequilibrium to fine-map the risk region.
- High linkage disequilibrium around the gene suggests a recent selective sweep.
linkage disequilibrium
1/lˈɪŋkɪd͡ʒ dɪsˌikwəlˈɪbɹiəm/
fixed phrase
technical
Nonrandom allele association
a genetics term for gene variants appearing together more often or less often than expected
Examples
- The researchers measured linkage disequilibrium between the two variants.
- Linkage disequilibrium can help scientists map genes associated with disease.
- In a large, mixed population, patterns of linkage disequilibrium may be complex.