poise

1 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 counterpoise, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, balance, stasisRelated Words counterbalance, offset; firmness, fixedness, security, stability, steadinessNear Antonyms changeability, fluctuation, inconstancy, insecurity, instability, mutability, precariousness, shakiness, unsteadiness, volatilityAntonyms disequilibration, disequilibrium, imbalance, nonequilibrium, unbalance

2 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 attitude, carriage, posture, stance, stationRelated Words attention; body language; pose, seat; bearing, behavior, conduct, demeanor, deportment; air, posture, presence; aspect, look, mien

1 to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference Synonyms brace, forearm, nerve, fortify, psych (up), ready, steel, strengthenRelated Words arm; harden, inure, season, toughen; bolster, boost, buoy (up), buttress, enforce, prop (up), reinforce (also reenforce), support, sustain; cheer (up), comfort, embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire; rally, rouse, stirNear Antonyms daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, psych (out), shake, unnerve; debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, prostrate, sap, soften, tire, undercut, undermine, weaken

2 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 drift, glide, hang, hover, float, ride, sail, swim, waftRelated Words bob, dangle, suspend; buoy; balloon, raftNear Antonyms dive, lunge, plunge; dip, immerse, submerge, submerseAntonyms settle, sink