1
as in equilibrium
a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another
there must be a poise between the rights of the individual and the rights of society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in posture
a general way of holding the body
the woman's poise suggested that she was accustomed to having her wishes carried out promptly and without question
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hover
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
the falcon poised in the air for an instant before diving to attack its prey
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poise
Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026
Such poise was not easy to sustain.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 May 2026
That multiple players are poised to break a 30-year-old record is particularly noteworthy given the current era of pitching, where aces are more dominant and throwing harder than ever before.
—Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poise
Noun
Postgame, Massey and Quatraro applauded Kolek’s poise, especially after the go-ahead home run.
—Pj Green, Kansas City Star, 6 May 2026
Such poise was not easy to sustain.
—Peter Slevin, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Verb
The lawsuit points to Trump’s own comments suggesting the development could include a hotel, arguing the site is poised to become a commercial venture as much as a presidential archive.
—Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 May 2026
That multiple players are poised to break a 30-year-old record is particularly noteworthy given the current era of pitching, where aces are more dominant and throwing harder than ever before.
—Lindsay Schnell, New York Times, 15 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poise
Noun
-
Remarkably cool September nights kept sugar levels balanced while maintaining freshness and acidity, allowing for a notable sense of equilibrium in the glass.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
15 May 2026
-
To create it, nature required the specific, violent far-from-equilibrium conditions of July 16, 1945.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
12 May 2026
Noun
-
Changing positions regularly, alternating tasks and taking short breaks every 20 to 30 minutes helps reduce cumulative strain before fatigue begins affecting posture and technique.—
Dr. Kęstutis Braziulis,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
-
That fear is central to Poland’s security posture.—
Efrat Lachter,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
Verb
-
Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
-
Lone lost both arms in an accident at the age of eight and taught himself to play cricket using his legs, batting with the bat braced between his neck and chin and bowling with his feet.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
19 May 2026
Verb
-
One of the many strengths of the Kieślowski film is its tight focus on just two individuals, the watcher and the watched, with a couple of secondary characters hovering around the edges.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
With a par 70 layout, the leaders have mostly hovered around three under.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Because his stance on climate change conflicts with overwhelming scientific consensus, the president has removed climate information from federal websites, approved scientifically unsound reports that favor fossil fuels, and gutted key scientific agencies and boards.—
Joseph Bonasia,
The Orlando Sentinel,
15 May 2026
-
Elijah, however, didn’t account for his wide stance.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The weekend only fortified the belief that things will turn.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
-
Introduced last year in partnership with Projeto Paradiso in a bid to fortify the presence of Brazilian cinema in the global arena, Screen Brasil selects three projects and their respective sales agents.—
Anna Marie de la Fuente,
Variety,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
As for the camper module exterior, Winnebago cages out the alcove face and lower front sides with thick tubular branch guards, wires in a set of floating front auxiliary lights, adds a swing-away full-size spare carrier in back, and secures on under-body aluminum storage lockers.—
C.C. Weiss
May 17,
New Atlas,
17 May 2026
-
Four parachutes could be seen floating above the crash site.—
Tom Dreisbach,
NPR,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
In the right hands, delivered with an attitude that respects both the subjects and gallery visitors, this frantic exploration of cowboys and the West by art galleries can still have something to say.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
18 May 2026
-
Launched in 2001, Bratz made its name by offering dolls with attitude, distinct personalities, and a stronger sense of style than the category had seen at the time.—
Renan Botelho,
Footwear News,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poise. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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