poise 1 of 2

1
2
as in posture
a general way of holding the body the woman's poise suggested that she was accustomed to having her wishes carried out promptly and without question

Synonyms & Similar Words

poise

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word poise different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of poise are address, savoir faire, and tact. While all these words mean "skill and grace in dealing with others," poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations.

answered the accusations with unruffled poise

When would address be a good substitute for poise?

The words address and poise can be used in similar contexts, but address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends.

brought it off with remarkable address

When can savoir faire be used instead of poise?

The words savoir faire and poise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, savoir faire is likely to stress worldly experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient.

the savoir faire of a seasoned traveler

Where would tact be a reasonable alternative to poise?

The meanings of tact and poise largely overlap; however, tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate.

questions showing a lack of tact

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 poise
Noun
As a child, Jennifer possessed a near-maniacal poise and charm, the sort of jazz-hand confidence you’re either born with or not. Rachel Handler, Vulture, 18 July 2025 Pease was the junior U.S. Champion in 2024 and brings elegance and poise to the gymnastics stage. Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2025
Verb
Thornton's Tommy is set to be CEO of M-Tex Oil while Monty's wife, Cami (Demi Moore) is also poised to be a bigger part of the business, with Tommy appointing her to the board. Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 14 Aug. 2025 The smoky summers are only poised to worsen in the years ahead as the globe gets hotter, according to Liam Buchart, fire weather specialist at Natural Resources Canada. Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for poise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poise
Noun
  • Fred’s arrival disrupts their equilibrium and puts their longstanding friendship to the test.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2025
  • What makes this rewiring possible is the brain’s flexibility in finding new ways to maintain equilibrium.
    Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Practice posture, eye contact and calm hand gestures to establish instant credibility.
    Lynn Smith, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
  • His strategy set out to undermine Soviet legitimacy, to counter and deter Soviet expansionism, and to strengthen the U.S. military posture to put more pressure on Moscow.
    Niall Ferguson, Foreign Affairs, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Beachfront property owners are bracing Thursday for the worst amid predictions of a storm surge of up to 4 feet and significant coastal erosion.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • For now, the family is focused on bracing as the best path forward, hoping improvement continues so Harris won’t need surgery.
    Jordan Greene, People.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median employee tenure in US industries hovers around 3.9 years, while voluntary quits remain persistently high.
    William Jones, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2025
  • The rate hovered closer to 65 percent in the early 2000s, before dipping more sharply in recent years.
    Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • This would be a major reversal of its stance towards digital assets, and it is expected to be approved by China's State Council, the story said.
    Medora Lee, USA Today, 23 Aug. 2025
  • Policymakers have continued to cite the uncertain impact that tariffs will have on inflation as a reason for caution and believe that current economic conditions and the slightly restrictive policy stance allow for time to make further decisions.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 22 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier in the day, the signing of Lowe, who’d been designated for assignment by the Washington Nationals last week, proved another step in trying to fortify the roster for the postseason.
    Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025
  • Friday's summit between Trump and Putin in Alaska -- to which Ukrainian representatives were not invited -- ended with Russia demanding that Ukraine cede the entirety of its contested and fortified eastern Donetsk region in exchange for an end to the fighting, two sources told ABC News.
    David Brennan, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The city celebrated in style with players and fans floating down the river on barges.
    Vitas Carosella, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • The wastewater exits the home into the septic tank, where solids settle to the bottom of the tank to form a sludge layer, and the lighter waste forms a scum layer that floats at the top.
    Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • During your interview process, assess candidates' attitudes toward AI tools and their experience solving problems with artificial intelligence.
    Anatolii Kasianov, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025
  • This blasé attitude between the two teams has to change.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Poise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poise. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on poise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!