balancing act
noun
plural balancing acts
: an attempt to handle or deal with two or more things (such as obligations) at one time so as to satisfy often competing requirements
"It's a difficult balancing act between celebrating the past and making room for the future."—
Jeffrey Brown
Jeffrey BrownVegas might be the starkest example of what the hospitality industry faces across the country: a delicate balancing act between bringing back jobs and revenue and keeping workers and customers safe from a virus that's killed more than 100,000 Americans.—Dave Jamieson
Dave JamiesonIt's a balancing act between appreciation, education and safety. Earlier this year, London city council voted to tighten up a parks bylaw that restricts the amount of food residents can feed to wild animals.—Megan Stacey
Megan StaceyExamples of balancing act in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That kind of balancing act is familiar to many young women entering music today.
—
Desjah Altvater,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Such balancing acts play out regularly in Washington, in state capitals, and – with less fanfare, perhaps – at county and city levels, as well as within local school boards and civic organizations.
—
The Christian Science Monitor,
Christian Science Monitor,
30 June 2026
Selecting fabrics for your window treatments is a balancing act.
—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 June 2026
Renting an apartment or home in the summer months can feel like a balancing act between staying comfortable and being smart with your finances.
—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for balancing act
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Desjah Altvater,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2026
Such balancing acts play out regularly in Washington, in state capitals, and – with less fanfare, perhaps – at county and city levels, as well as within local school boards and civic organizations.
—
The Christian Science Monitor,
Christian Science Monitor,
30 June 2026
Selecting fabrics for your window treatments is a balancing act.
—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 June 2026
Renting an apartment or home in the summer months can feel like a balancing act between staying comfortable and being smart with your finances.
—
Ashlyn Needham,
The Spruce,
23 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for balancing act
Cite this Entry
“Balancing act.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balancing%20act. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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