1
as in braced
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
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Recent Examples of poised
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
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
Gregory Clifford, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Kennedy seems poised to bend the CDC further to his will.
—Keren Landman, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Verb
The Knicks retain a loaded roster led by All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson and remain poised to contend in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
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
Adjective
The Fed is likely poised to cut rates soon, and financial institutions are expected to follow soon after.
—Gregory Clifford, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Kennedy seems poised to bend the CDC further to his will.
—Keren Landman, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poised
Verb
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Lecornu now faces the dual challenge of steering France out of its financial morass while leading a government braced for mass protests.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
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The news organization vigorously defended the story at the time and braced to fight the legal action.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bonds, which have hovered for a week after a ripping rally , and could struggle if attention returns to stickier inflation?—
Michael Santoli,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
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Following the exercise’s finale, two drones carrying Russian and Belarusian flags hovered in front of spectators.—
Patrick Reevell,
ABC News,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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That’s more than a factor of three in improvement of the signal strength over just 10 years, which enables a much more confident and robust extraction of the key parameters and properties associated with this merger.—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
17 Sep. 2025
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But Canalys isn’t confident about the demand materializing at retail stores and websites.—
Senior Reporter,
PC Magazine,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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And a belief long voiced by many in the region of Israel’s intention to sabotage peace talks has only been fortified by Tuesday’s strikes.—
Paula Hancocks,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Kremlin has succeeded in building a fortress economy, but one that is fortified against the future more than against the enemy.—
Jeremy Shapiro,
The Atlantic,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Silvetti was shown his first MLS yellow card two minutes later and shortly thereafter launched his first shot, a powerful right-footer from outside the box that sailed wide right.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
17 Sep. 2025
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Instead, the former Jacksonville tight end has sailed closer to Jared Leto — a performance that’s hard to watch.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The second thing that makes an impression is how composed Sartori is—remarkably Zen even—mere hours before a major show.—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
13 Sep. 2025
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The vocabulary being used by Qatar’s prime minister is strong, evocative and damning, a departure from his usual composed response to the incessant twists and turns of trying to end the 23-month war in Gaza.—
Paula Hancocks,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 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 White House has floated a goal of 3,000 daily ICE arrests, raising concerns among advocates who say such quotas encourage indiscriminate enforcement practices and undermine due process protections.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Sep. 2025
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Kennedy floated a full-on ban against pharmaceutical ads during last year’s election cycle.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poised. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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