1
as in braced
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hovered
to rest or move along the surface of a liquid or in the air
the falcon poised in the air for an instant before diving to attack its prey
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in confident
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poised
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
According to these arbiters, there is a correct way to react when your husband achieves a lifetime dream, and Stoll’s poised and somewhat reserved response was far from it.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
As the New York Times reports, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and his son, David, are poised to own a significant collection of media assets between them.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Verb
The Knicks retain a loaded roster led by All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson and remain poised to contend in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
According to these arbiters, there is a correct way to react when your husband achieves a lifetime dream, and Stoll’s poised and somewhat reserved response was far from it.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Injured Reserve These are the players who are injured and poised to open the season designated as being on Injured Reserve or on Injured/Non-Roster.
—Thomas Drance, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
As the New York Times reports, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and his son, David, are poised to own a significant collection of media assets between them.
—Alexei Oreskovic, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poised
Verb
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The title may have the tang of a prog-rock album, but the book is witty, minutely detailed, and braced by common sense—a welcome gift in an often obsessive environment.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
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Lecornu now faces the dual challenge of steering France out of its financial morass while leading a government braced for mass protests.—
Saskya Vandoorne,
CNN Money,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Jean’s mama, in a kente-print muumuu (as much out of self-consciousness about middle-aged weight gain, Jean figured, as in celebration of the day), hovered nearby, smiling on.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
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This year, their record after the All-Star break hovered within the Top 10 in the Major Leagues, but their 41-57 hole to begin the year was too difficult to emerge from.—
Chris Biderman,
Sacbee.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Stankonia collaborators remember Outkast feeling confident during recording sessions for their fourth studio album, which has been lauded for bringing the Dirty South hip-hop sensibility to such genres as funk, gospel and psychedelia.—
Ryan Gajewski,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
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But the Cardinals' legend is confident that the underdog can come out on top.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The two have bonded over their desire to get better and their tireless work ethics, and that relationship has only been fortified as the years have progressed.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
28 Sep. 2025
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Many options are available, including dairy-free, lactose-free, gluten-free, keto-friendly, paleo-friendly, organic, non-GMO, or fortified with vitamins and minerals.—
Merve Ceylan,
Health,
28 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Bader sailed across home plate, arms raised, to score the winning run in Game 162 on Sunday.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
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The show is one of several new offerings on Brilliant Lady, which sailed its maiden voyage in early September, and USA TODAY was among the first to see the show.—
Nathan Diller,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Only on particularly bumpy tarmac did the GTS-spec suspension become too jarring with the adaptive dampers stiffened up in sport mode, but switching them to normal offered the best of both worlds—excellent, composed body control and tuning that ironed out imperfections remarkably well.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
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The vocabulary being used by Qatar’s prime minister is strong, evocative and damning, a departure from his usual composed response to the incessant twists and turns of trying to end the 23-month war in Gaza.—
Paula Hancocks,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Of the other methods – including electrocution, lethal gas and hanging – lethal injection had the highest botch rate of more than 7%. ‘An embrace of brutality’ Still, states have remained averse to the firing squad, a position that experts who spoke to CNN believe stems from its overt violence.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
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The neutral material keeps it from looking like an eye sore and can be expanded for more hanging space as needed.—
Micaela Arnett,
Rolling Stone,
10 Jan. 2024
Verb
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A touch of sleaze floated across this upscale-at-first-glance wardrobe.—
Lily Templeton,
Footwear News,
30 Sep. 2025
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One coach floated the idea that Byfield is more ready to level up than Connor Bedard.—
The Athletic NHL,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poised. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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