equipoise

1 of 2

noun

equi·​poise ˈe-kwə-ˌpȯiz How to pronounce equipoise (audio)
ˈē-
1
: a state of equilibrium
2

equipoise

2 of 2

verb

equipoised; equipoising; equipoises

transitive verb

1
: to serve as an equipoise to
2
: to put or hold in equipoise

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
The crucial equipoise of the NPT is based on a tripartite bargain. Rafael Mariano Grossi, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2024 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
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 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'equipoise.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of equipoise was in 1658

Dictionary Entries Near equipoise

Cite this Entry

“Equipoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/equipoise. Accessed 12 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

equipoise

noun
equi·​poise
ˈek-wə-ˌpȯiz,
ˈē-kwə-
1
: a state of balance : equilibrium
2
: a weight used to balance another weight
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