poise 1 of 2

1
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

poise

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word poise different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of poise are address, savoir faire, and tact. While all these words mean "skill and grace in dealing with others," poise may imply both tact and address but stresses self-possession and ease in meeting difficult situations.

answered the accusations with unruffled poise

When would address be a good substitute for poise?

The words address and poise can be used in similar contexts, but address stresses dexterity and grace in dealing with new and trying situations and may imply success in attaining one's ends.

brought it off with remarkable address

When can savoir faire be used instead of poise?

The words savoir faire and poise are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, savoir faire is likely to stress worldly experience and a sure awareness of what is proper or expedient.

the savoir faire of a seasoned traveler

Where would tact be a reasonable alternative to poise?

The meanings of tact and poise largely overlap; however, tact implies delicate and considerate perception of what is appropriate.

questions showing a lack of tact

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 poise
Noun
Los Alamitos counters with Brooks (11-7, 2.83 ERA), who has shown improvement and poise. Dan Albano, Oc Register, 29 May 2025 Readers, especially women and mothers, responded overwhelmingly to Dr. Jay’s poise, grace, and heartfelt depiction of the struggles of the postpartum period. Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 28 May 2025
Verb
Louisiana is poised to hike taxes on sports betting to pump more than $24 million into athletic departments at the state’s most prominent public universities. Preston Fore, Fortune, 17 June 2025 While Austin seems poised to build upon what was a bit of a breakout 2024 campaign (36 receptions, 548 yards, four touchdowns), a potential trade or Roman Wilson’s growth could change that dynamic. Mike Defabo, New York Times, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for poise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poise
Noun
  • Practice intentionally throwing yourself off balance a little bit so your body must work to find its equilibrium again.
    Jessica DuLong, CNN Money, 20 June 2025
  • Malaysia’s chairmanship helped maintain this equilibrium by avoiding escalatory language while keeping diplomatic channels to Beijing open.
    Benjamin Laker, Forbes.com, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • But Trump has yet to fully explain his sharp shift in posture, from determined dealmaker to potential participant in the attack on Tehran.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 19 June 2025
  • But there's an obvious tension given the Trump administration's posture on diversity programs that the history will be accurately preserved by federal institutions and museums.
    Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 19 June 2025
Verb
  • Song’s demystification of what passes for love in a typical rom-com is bracing.
    Katy Waldman, New Yorker, 21 June 2025
  • Acapulco residents had braced for Erick's arrival with more preparation and trepidation because of the memory of the devastation two years earlier.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 June 2025
Verb
  • The heat index hovered around 100 degrees for several hours.
    Mike Stunson, Kansas City Star, 23 June 2025
  • Oil prices need to hover around $65 a barrel for energy producers to profitably drill new wells, according to another Dallas Fed survey.
    Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • John Thys/Getty Images Speaking ahead of the upcoming NATO summit, Secretary General Mark Rutte reaffirmed the alliance's unified stance on Iran's nuclear ambitions.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
  • Trump has long cited his 2018 withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), as evidence of his tough stance on Tehran.
    Spriha Srivastava, CNBC, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Coupang has been moving quickly to fortify Farfetch after purchasing the company out of administration at the end of 2023.
    Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 19 June 2025
  • The island itself is cut off from the mainland via a path that only appears at low tide, and its citizens keep a constant vigil at the ramshackle but heavily fortified entrance.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 18 June 2025
Verb
  • Steve Mnuchin, Trump’s treasury secretary during his first term in office, also floated the idea of purchasing the app with a group of billionaire investors when the ban was first passed.
    Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • The president floated backing a primary challenger to the North Carolina GOP senator on Saturday after Tillis voted against advancing Trump’s tax and spending cuts bill, which is loaded up with steeper cuts to Medicaid than the House’s version.
    Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Almost like a Draymond — not Draymond’s attitude, but the mentality.
    David Aldridge, New York Times, 19 June 2025
  • Jamie Foxx reflected on his current attitude toward fame during a new interview.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 18 June 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Poise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poise. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on poise

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!