1
as in braced
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hovered
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
1
as in confident
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of poised
Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Now Washington’s franchise player, Daniels had one of the most poised and productive rookie seasons in NFL history.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Ethan Stone, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
The defending champion Celtics certainly look poised for a repeat.
—Sam Settleman, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Verb
According to these arbiters, there is a correct way to react when your husband achieves a lifetime dream, and Stoll’s poised and somewhat reserved response was far from it.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Now Washington’s franchise player, Daniels had one of the most poised and productive rookie seasons in NFL history.
—Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
With a combination of strategic acquisitions, high-quality programming, and a passion for the industry, TMN is poised to continue its ascent in the competitive world of talk radio syndication.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
The defending champion Celtics certainly look poised for a repeat.
—Sam Settleman, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poised
Verb
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At exactly noon on New Year’s Day, about 20 people braced their feet against the silty shore of Lake Natoma, hopping and fidgeting to warm themselves.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacramento Bee,
1 Jan. 2025
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Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency on Monday as the government braced for reprisal shootings after an attempt on a gang leader’s life, officials said.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In Gabon, youth unemployment has hovered above 35% in recent years.—
Richard Aidoo,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2025
-
The price in 2024 hovered around the dollar mark.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Blackburn is confident the state will boost warning systems soon, but said that turning the tide on land use regulations could take years.—
Bayliss Wagner,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Aug. 2025
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Yet, 60% aren't confident in their organization’s data-AI readiness to enable this outcome.—
Jesse Todd,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
What hope had been fortified in the first half Wednesday had faded by the second.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
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It is often fortified with iodine, a trace element necessary for thyroid health.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Yet for all the nerves, there is great pride in Yoro’s calm and composed performances, which have quickly taken him to the top.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
20 May 2025
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Krypto maintains the decidedly unruly nature of the dog upon which he is based, a funny foil to Superman’s (played by David Corenswet) kind and composed comportment.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
Adjective
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Of the other methods – including electrocution, lethal gas and hanging – lethal injection had the highest botch rate of more than 7%. ‘An embrace of brutality’ Still, states have remained averse to the firing squad, a position that experts who spoke to CNN believe stems from its overt violence.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
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The neutral material keeps it from looking like an eye sore and can be expanded for more hanging space as needed.—
Micaela Arnett,
Rolling Stone,
10 Jan. 2024
Verb
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The plan, reported in January in The Age newspaper, has been floated by the three most powerful and richest cricket nations - India, Australia and England who would be part of a top tier consisting of seven teams.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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However, she has been floated as a potential 2028 presidential contender.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Big Ag fears varieties of amaranth as an existential threat to industrial crops, since the plants are unperturbed by the industry’s arsenal of weed killers.—
Michael Shaikh
June 25,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2025
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Wood was also unperturbed by the rumors Goggins unfollowed her after wrapping.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poised. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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