Definition

1. Noun:

   • A state of mental disturbance and disorientation: A condition where someone's mental state is disturbed, causing confusion and a lack of stability.
   • A lack of balance or state of disequilibrium: A situation where things are not equal, stable, or in proper proportion.

2. Verb:

   • To derange mentally; to throw out of mental balance; to make insane: To cause someone to become mentally unstable or disturbed.
   • To throw out of balance or equilibrium: To cause something to become unstable, unequal, or not properly proportioned.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The sudden news caused a deep emotional unbalance in her.
  • An unbalance in the wheel caused the car to vibrate at high speeds.
  • The report highlighted the economic unbalance between the two regions.

• Verb:

  • The traumatic experience completely unbalanced him for several months.
  • Adding too much weight to one side will unbalance the boat.
  • The new policy risks unbalancing the carefully negotiated agreement.

Advanced Usage

• "to unbalance the scales": To cause a situation to become unfair or biased.
  • The judge's ruling was seen as an attempt to unbalance the scales of justice.
• "in a state of unbalance": Describing something or someone that is not stable or is disturbed.
  • The ecosystem is in a state of unbalance due to pollution.

Variants and Related Words

• Unbalanced (adjective): Not balanced; mentally disturbed or unstable.
  • The table is unbalanced and wobbles.
  • He was judged to be of unbalanced mind.
• Imbalance (noun): A synonym often used for a lack of proportion or equality, especially in technical or formal contexts.
  • a hormonal imbalance; a trade imbalance.

Synonyms

• Noun: Instability, disequilibrium, asymmetry, disturbance, disorder.
• Verb: Disturb, destabilize, upset, derange, unsettle.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Constructions

• To throw off balance: This phrasal verb is closely related in meaning.
  • The unexpected question threw the speaker off balance. (Made them mentally unsettled or physically unstable.)

Related Idioms

• To tip the balance/scales: To cause a change in a situation, often by giving a small advantage to one side. This is related to the concept of creating an unbalance.
  • Her compelling testimony tipped the balance in favor of the defendant.

Noun

1. a state of mental disturbance and disorientation
2. a lack of balance or state of disequilibrium
   • a hormonal imbalance

Verb

1. derange mentally, throw out of mental balance; make insane
   • The death of his parents unbalanced him
2. throw out of balance or equilibrium
   • The tax relief unbalanced the budget
   • The prima donna unbalances the smooth work in our department