equipoise 1 of 2

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

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
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 The politicization of what should be bipartisan information places facts and fiction in ideological equipoise for many outside the medical community. Brooke Redmond, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 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
  • Most good people, who manage these trade-offs with compassion and skill, are creatures of fragile equilibria.
    Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
  • When production stops abruptly due to downstream bottlenecks, the delicate equilibrium of rock physics and fluid flow is shattered.
    Siddharth Misra, Fortune, 6 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • For a pat of butter that melts just so, heat up an offset spatula and give it a swipe.
    Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Mar. 2026
  • In Austin, one of the most expensive housing markets in Texas, Wegmann has seen city investments in affordable housing offset that problem.
    Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Clear agreements matter as the Moon conjoins mental Mercury in your 7th House of Alignments, encouraging honest dialogue that balances your needs with someone else’s.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026
  • The appeal lies in the note itself—creamy, green, and gently herbaceous—often balanced with softer, sweeter elements.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 16 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • On the counter-attack, Jesus Ferreira played a through ball from midfield to Rothrock near the right corner of the penalty box.
    Mercury News, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Use this as an opportunity to freshen up the space by wiping down the counter and emptying the trash.
    Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The equalizing goal never materialized, despite heavy pressure from the Galaxy and seven extra minutes of stoppage time, leaving the Galaxy to deal with a 2-1 defeat at the hands of what was the worst team in the league.
    Damian Calhoun, Daily News, 15 Mar. 2026
  • Coach Jonas Eidevall instructed Dudinha and Gabi Portilho to switch sides around the 64th minute, and that is when the Wave had their best opportunity to equalize.
    Fernando Ramirez, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Paint can also be a powerful corrective.
    Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Mar. 2026
  • These are all refreshing correctives to the texts that previously stood in for contemporary Japan internationally, including any number of small volumes about magical cafés, bookshops, or libraries, often with cats on their covers.
    Sarah Chihaya, New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2026
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
Verb
  • On Thursday, the Senate passed a broad bipartisan bill on housing, which seeks to adjust policies to increase construction and limit institutional ownership of home development.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 14 Mar. 2026
  • Acting in a movie involves a lot of waiting around, too—as the crew repositions cameras and adjusts the lighting, among other things—and those lulls provided me with plenty of time to feel queasy with anxiety.
    Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Equipoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equipoise. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

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