equipoise 1 of 2

noun

ˈe-kwə-ˌpȯiz How to pronounce equipoise (audio)
Definition of equipoisenext
1
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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

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
  1. equilibrium
  2. offset
  3. balance
  4. counter
  5. equalize
  6. corrective
  7. equilibrate
  8. adjust
Noun
  • For Werzyn, that equilibrium now extends outside the bathroom.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 5 July 2026
  • Yet both underscore a defining characteristic of American democracy – the delicate yet shifting equilibrium among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches that underpins the business of governing.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 30 June 2026
Definition of equilibrium
Noun
  • The parents allege that UC Davis included what was meant only to be an expense offset for the in-kind donations of horses in calculating the total cost of the equestrian program.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 1 July 2026
  • Using an offset spatula, smooth across surface to cover evenly, spreading all the way to the edges.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 July 2026
Definition of offset
Verb
  • That victory led, four years later, to the Coastal Act and creation of the Coastal Commission, whose job was to balance sensible development, habitat protection and conservation, and equitable public access.
    — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 11 July 2026
  • Meanwhile, the best general managers approach moves dispassionately with a franchise’s long-term outlook balanced against the win-now crowd.
    — Scott Turick, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2026
Definition of balance
Noun
  • Fire officials deemed the fire accidental after determining that the family dog, Bo, jumped onto the kitchen counter and turned on the toaster, which ignited nearby combustibles.
    — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 14 July 2026
  • Monolithic gray counters and softened architectural forms are interspersed with furniture and lighting from Yakusha’s Faina collection.
    — Thomas Waller, Footwear News, 14 July 2026
Definition of counter
Verb
  • Both teams went back-and-forth, up-and-down the pitch, resulting in nothing until Switzerland broke through in the 67th minute on a Dan Ndoye equalizing goal.
    — Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • During the knockout World Cup round Tuesday, Argentina's national team mounted a late comeback where Cristian Romero scored a goal then Lionel Messi equalized with his own goal in the 83rd minute for the win.
    — Jennifer Elias, CNBC, 9 July 2026
Definition of equalize
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
Verb
  • Both players have adjusted well to professional baseball in recent months.
    — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 11 July 2026
  • As fresh visual information reaches the brain, these models are updated almost instantaneously, allowing movements to be adjusted before conscious awareness has caught up.
    — Michelle Spear, Scientific American, 11 July 2026
Definition of adjust

Browse Nearby Words

equipment
equipoise
equipoised
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Cite this Entry

“Equipoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equipoise. Accessed 19 Jul. 2026.

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