1
as in equilibrium
a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another
when participating in any dangerous sport, one should maintain an equipoise between fearless boldness and commonsense caution
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective
her frugality is a much-needed equipoise to her husband's spendthrift ways
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to balance
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of equipoise
WSJ, 3 Jan. 2022
Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
In 2016, Americans elected a leader who rejected the very notion of an international system that relies on the United States to maintain equipoise.
—Timothy Naftali, Foreign Affairs, 29 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for equipoise
Noun
The authors do a great job demonstrating that allowing respect for autonomy has, at a minimum, equipoise with the authoritarian approach, if not superiority, when considering a range of measures of health and happiness.
—WSJ, 3 Jan. 2022
Verb
Buyers aren't buying; sellers aren't selling The housing market hangs in an odd equipoise: Would-be buyers aren’t buying, and would-be sellers aren’t selling.
—Daniel De Visé, USA TODAY, 22 May 2024
In 2016, Americans elected a leader who rejected the very notion of an international system that relies on the United States to maintain equipoise.
—Timothy Naftali, Foreign Affairs, 29 Jan. 2020
See All Example Sentences for equipoise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equipoise
Noun
-
Rather than aiming for a constant fixed equilibrium, dynamic leadership is about ongoing adjustments.—
IESE Business School,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
His ostentatious well-being is scorned by Walker, who equates equilibrium with compromise.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
That's still a huge offset to the deficit and debt projections coming from the budget bill alone.—
Kelly Evans,
CNBC,
8 July 2025
-
However, the proliferation of low-quality or poorly verified offsets dilutes the market's credibility and undermines climate goals.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
Verb
-
Build governance that balances innovation with accountability.—
Ravi Gedela,
Forbes.com,
8 July 2025
-
Brooding, tense works that balance slow-burn character exploration/interrogation with sudden bursts of action and high drama.—
Teddy Wayne
July 8,
Literary Hub,
8 July 2025
Noun
-
Boxes of 45s, some with protective sleeves and many without, line the floor near the counter where Doug Snyder sits on the left side of the store.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
5 July 2025
-
Trowbridge's is a charming blast from the past, from the vinyl counter seats to the old-fashioned milkshakes, to the homemade chili and chicken and dumplings.—
Lisa Cericola,
Southern Living,
5 July 2025
Verb
-
When play resumed, Benfica equalized in stoppage time — but Chelsea responded with an emphatic flurry, taking full advantage of the Portuguese side going down to 10 men in extra time.—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
29 June 2025
-
Experts are also unsure how long any increase in problem gambling might last: Some studies suggest that the prevalence of gambling problems tends to equalize after a spike, but those findings are usually limited to physical casinos and remain debated within the field.—
Hana Kiros,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2025
Verb
-
Not allowing enough time to equilibrate The most accurate results are obtained after sitting in a low-stress environment for five minutes, Serwer noted.—
Melissa Rudy,
Fox News,
12 Jan. 2025
-
But in that case, wouldn’t people from low-income areas just overflow to their empty beds, and then the system would equilibrate?—
Renee Hsia,
Forbes,
19 Sep. 2024
Verb
-
Parents can adjust between four suction levels based on how congested their baby is.—
Kaitlyn Gomez,
USA Today,
8 July 2025
-
Still available in white and taupe, its generous strap (which can be worn two ways) is designed to fit comfortably over the shoulder, but can be adjusted to become a crossbody, too.—
Stephanie Osmanski,
Better Homes & Gardens,
8 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Equipoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equipoise. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share