Definition of equipoisenext
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

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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

equipoise

2 of 2

verb

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
Noun
There’s been this delicate equipoise between Russia and the US for the majority of the Cold War, even though the number of weapons has come down a lot from its peak in the eighties. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 27 June 2025 People on both sides of the issue posited that, for all the claims of equipoise, the new rules at Harvard had been introduced with the goal of containing pro-Palestinian protest. — Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
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 See All Example Sentences for equipoise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equipoise
Noun
  • Maybe there’s an equilibrium that must be restored on this show, relationship-wise.
    — Tom Smyth, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Without the United States, the theory goes, the region would settle into its own equilibrium.
    — Philip H. Gordon, Foreign Affairs, 12 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Stifel analyst Peter McGoldrick, who covers athletics, footwear and lifestyle brands, noted that elevated input costs is likely to impact margin pressure for the 2027 calendar year before offsets.
    — Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • That offset shrinks to only 38mm when installing a 280mm radiator kit.
    — Thomas Soderstrom, PC Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In their letter, the bishops attempted to balance human dignity and a right for governments to humanely protect borders.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
  • The sample was balanced across key demographic groups—including age, gender and region to ensure broad representation before aggregating responses to highlight the top state choices.
    — Gagandeep Singh, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • In practice, that means keeping prep tools like knives, cutting boards and mixing bowls together near one counter and storing cookware, oils and utensils close to the stove.
    — Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026
  • The meat department calls to us, and as Yoon and I pace the counter, we’re hypnotized by the kaleidoscopic marbling on the pre-cut jowl, short rib and brisket.
    — Vanessa Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Giacomo Calo opened the scoring for Frosinone with the aid of a goalkeeping error and although Domenico Berardi equalized for the visitors after a quarter of an hour, Raimundo took charge soon after with a series of classic poacher goals.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • That lead would not last long, as Kansas City equalized in the 39th minute.
    — Spencer Baldwin, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • The need for correctives is extensive, and the work is well under way.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • State Board of Education member Brandon Hall, a pastor from Weatherford who voted for the mandate, framed the changes as a corrective.
    — Rachel Royster. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
Verb
  • The other thing is that, rather than increasing with surface area, lift tends to drop because the sheets are more likely to equilibrate to the prevailing temperatures.
    — Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Housing would equilibrate if the city had a static population.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • By adjusting the distance between the tips, the team could stretch or compress the molecular structure, changing the voltage at which the current enhancement began.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Hackett said adjusting investments to reflect personal financial goals, changes in risk tolerance, or shifting income needs are good reasons to make changes.
    — Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Equipoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equipoise. Accessed 25 Oct. 2026.

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