equipoise

noun

equi·poise | \ ˈe-kwə-ˌpȯiz

, ˈē-\

Definition of equipoise

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a state of equilibrium

2 : counterbalance

equipoise

verb

equipoised; equipoising; equipoises

Definition of equipoise (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to serve as an equipoise to

2 : to put or hold in equipoise

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about equipoise

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Examples of equipoise in a Sentence

Noun

when participating in any dangerous sport, one should maintain an equipoise between fearless boldness and commonsense caution her frugality is a much-needed equipoise to her husband's spendthrift ways

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

In his treatment of the Allah of the Quran, suspension of disbelief is finely balanced by a generous suspension of his own personal beliefs, and his book is all the stronger for this equipoise. — Eric Ormsby, WSJ, "‘God in the Qur’an’ Review: Allah, a Biography," 16 Jan. 2019 But from a biological standpoint, such equipoise is standard fare. — Clifton Leaf, Fortune, "Brainstorm Health: Ties in Biology, Trump-Pfizer Takeaways, Obamacare Navigator Cuts," 11 July 2018 These little affectations only add to the overall equipoise, in the same way that a completely bare waiting room is eerie but a waiting room with a ficus evokes no feelings at all. — Sasha Chapin, New York Times, "Letter of Recommendation: Airport Layovers," 29 May 2018 Christ—the anatomy of man in God’s image—and the cross—the structural geometric intersection—align in precise aesthetic and spiritual equipoise. — Vogue, "Measure for Measure," 11 Oct. 2017 No matter how heavy the weather on his surfaces, all the elements of his pictures have museum-grade equipoise. — The New Yorker, "Adrian Ghenie," 31 Mar. 2017 All the same, there’s something about munching on human flesh that wrecks your equipoise in ways that almost nothing else does, classic vampirism... — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘Raw’ Review: A Matter of Taste," 9 Mar. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'equipoise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.