EQUIPOISE Synonyms: 54 Similar and Opposite Words

equipoise 1 of 2

noun

ˈe-kwə-ˌpȯiz

Definition of equipoise

as in equilibrium

a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another when participating in any dangerous sport, one should maintain an equipoise between fearless boldness and commonsense caution

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in offset

a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective her frugality is a much-needed equipoise to her husband's spendthrift ways

Synonyms & Similar Words

equipoise

2 of 2

verb

as in to balance

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

disequilibrate

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 equipoise

Noun

There’s been this delicate equipoise between Russia and the US for the majority of the Cold War, even though the number of weapons has come down a lot from its peak in the eighties. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 27 June 2025 People on both sides of the issue posited that, for all the claims of equipoise, the new rules at Harvard had been introduced with the goal of containing pro-Palestinian protest. — Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for equipoise

Noun

The warm gravy seeped into the buttermilk biscuit pieces just enough to create a divine equilibrium between damp and drenched.

— Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026
Temps begin to rebound Wednesday After the cut-off low departs late Tuesday, the atmosphere will begin its rebound to equilibrium through the week, bringing temperatures back to average or even slightly above average to the end of the work week.

— Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of equilibrium

Noun

Step 6 Run a small offset spatula around edges of cake to loosen, then invert out onto rack.

— Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026
Chinese Money Plant Chinese money plants (Pilea peperomioides) often produce offsets or baby plants, which are easy to divide and repot into their own containers.

— Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2026

Definition of offset

Verb

For people with diabetes, carbohydrates and sugars can’t be properly balanced by insulin, causing sugars to build up in the blood instead of entering the cells to provide energy.

— Rachael Zimlich, Verywell Health, 26 Sep. 2026
Propulsion matters because an aircraft has to balance the power available to it against the demands of its mission.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of balance

Noun

This is even more true at Rumari Counter, a new experience with comfy stools for up to 10 diners per night who get the pleasure of eating a prix-fixe meal that will never be prepared again (the counter menu changes nightly).

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026
There is no permanent counter along Ohio Drive, and many visitors — including casual walkers, anglers and birders — leave no statistical trace.

— Rick Maese, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of counter

Noun

State Board of Education member Brandon Hall, a pastor from Weatherford who voted for the mandate, framed the changes as a corrective.

— Rachel Royster. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
Officials argue that graduate debt accounts for more than one-third of the federal student loan portfolio, making tightening limits a necessary fiscal corrective.

— David S. Shapiro, STAT, 30 June 2026

Definition of corrective

Verb

The other thing is that, rather than increasing with surface area, lift tends to drop because the sheets are more likely to equilibrate to the prevailing temperatures.

— Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025
Housing would equilibrate if the city had a static population.

— Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025

Definition of equilibrate

Browse Nearby Words

equipment

equipoise

equipoised

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Equipoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equipoise. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of equipoise

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

heterodox

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 2

16 Food Words Recently Added to the Dictionary

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

7 Great Ways to Say 'Great'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes