poised

adjective

\ ˈpȯizd

Definition of poised

: having poise:

a : marked by balance or equilibrium

b : marked by easy composure of manner or bearing

Examples of poised in a Sentence

The actors were poised on the stage, ready for the curtain to come up. She held the pencil poised over the paper. The company is poised for success. She seemed poised to take on the leadership of the country. He is now poised to become the next big star in country music. a city poised between the mountains and the sea a group of people poised between hope and fear

Recent Examples on the Web

Royals outfielder Billy Hamilton sprinted after the ball and seemed poised to catch it. — Ryan Divish, The Seattle Times, "The Mariners needed a miracle to beat the Royals. They got it, and return home 13-2, sweep in hand.," 12 Apr. 2019 Photo: Kevin Frayer/Getty Images Analysts also point out that, even with earnings growth expected to decelerate in the fourth quarter from the third, companies look poised to post healthy profits anyway. — Akane Otani, WSJ, "Slowing Earnings Growth, Gloomy Forecasts Add to Stock Market’s Woes," 13 Jan. 2019 While there are still several holes, the Browns look poised to make a sizable leap. — Michael Middlehurst-schwartz, USA TODAY, "NFL worst-to-first candidates: Which teams could make big leaps in 2018?," 16 May 2018 L'Equipe are reporting that Liverpool are poised to strike a deal with Koffi, while Monaco are also preparing to offer him a professional contract. — SI.com, "Liverpool Reportedly Poised to Sign 17-Year-Old Monaco Academy Prospect," 5 Apr. 2018 Brewing experts say some styles that have gained a foothold among the craft cognoscenti are poised to break out in 2018 among the wider beer-drinking public. — Robert Allen, Detroit Free Press, "Bell's Brewery loses trademark dispute with tiny North Carolina brewery," 12 Jan. 2018 Klopp's men seem poised to secure a Champions League spot at the end of the season. — SI.com, "Liverpool Faces Persistent Thorn Crystal Palace as Top-Four Race Winds Down," 30 Mar. 2018 Your colleagues in the Senate are poised to not give him that and not give him the vote. — Fox News, "Sen. Lindsey Graham on Kavanaugh hearings, bid to declassify documents," 9 Sep. 2018 Equipped with her camera, Cassandra Huysentruyt Grey looked poised to capture incredible candid portraits while Sara Foster kept cool in denim cutoffs. — Vogue, "Bumble BFF, The Tot, and Peanut Get Ready for Back-to-School in Style," 27 Aug. 2018

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