1
as in equilibrium
a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another
there must be a poise between the rights of the individual and the rights of society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
1
as in to brace
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to hover
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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poise
Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Despite the occasional hiccup, Williams seems to be playing with more poise, more purpose — especially in the fourth quarter, when the game is on the line.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The underlying technology is therefore poised to become a general tutor across academic and professional disciplines.
—Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poise
Noun
Dent showed great poise and patience in the half-court, often navigating end of shot-clock situations.
—Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 21 Jan. 2026
Despite the occasional hiccup, Williams seems to be playing with more poise, more purpose — especially in the fourth quarter, when the game is on the line.
—Tim Rohan, NBC news, 18 Jan. 2026
Verb
Austin David Thompson, who was 15 at the time of the attack that authorities say began in his Raleigh neighborhood, had been poised to go on trial in state court in less than two weeks.
—CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026
The underlying technology is therefore poised to become a general tutor across academic and professional disciplines.
—Gerui Wang, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poise
Noun
-
These familiar crystals exist in thermal equilibrium, maintaining their structure without energy input.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Jan. 2026
-
After the system reaches equilibrium, the programmers can read the solution in the new configuration of the resonators.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Maintaining an upright posture, press the dumbbells overhead until your elbows are almost straight.—
Greg Presto,
Outside,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Four Freedoms were civic posture.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Indian traders are bracing for a year of record government debt supply, which may keep borrowing costs elevated in the nation’s bond market.—
Subhadip Sircar,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Tri-State Area residents are bracing themselves for an extended period of unseasonably cold temperatures.—
Justin Lewis,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
When temperatures hover around the freezing point, water under or in the pavement freezes and expands, pushing up on the road and stressing it in all directions.—
Miriam Fauzia,
Dallas Morning News,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Morning temps in Austin will hover near freezing, but afternoon highs will remain relatively mild, reaching the 50s from the Panhandle to the coast.—
Mary Wasson,
Austin American Statesman,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Warsh, who served at the central bank from 2006 to 2011, was openly critical of quantitative easing during and after the financial crisis, a stance that has bolstered his standing with investors wary of inflation and fiscal dominance.—
Yun Li,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The fourth-generation Conti GT’s clean lines and athletic stance remain the same, but it’s been dressed up a bit.—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Orioles brought in Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward for their lineup while adding Shane Baz and Ryan Helsley to fortify their pitching staff.—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2026
-
No doubt to fortify the regime.—
Melik Kaylan,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The committee floated a proposal to implement new requirements for where these businesses can be built in relation to each other, and to strengthen pre-existing requirements.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
13 Jan. 2026
-
His administration is also buying housing bonds and floated the idea of a 50-year mortgage in an effort to bring down the cost of homeownership.—
Liz Hoffman,
semafor.com,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In terms of public attitudes to these vehicles in Europe, the picture is murky.—
Laurie Winkless,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
For four decades, Megadeth have been high priests—not the highest, but close—in a church of metal where technical prowess, breakneck tempos, and sneering attitude are the holiest of virtues.—
Eli Enis,
Pitchfork,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poise. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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