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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of poise
Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Editor Agnès Bruckert’s patient cutting allows the film’s fairly audacious tonal shifts (from tentative rom-com to psychological excavation) to unfold with poise, reinforcing the sense that catastrophe and self-redefinition can coexist within the same breath.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
While Kehlani has yet to win a Grammy, they’re poised to take home the gold for the first time next year.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poise
Noun
Durant’s endorsement adds credibility to the Mavericks’ approach — and to Flagg’s poise through early challenges.
—Grant Afseth, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2025
Editor Agnès Bruckert’s patient cutting allows the film’s fairly audacious tonal shifts (from tentative rom-com to psychological excavation) to unfold with poise, reinforcing the sense that catastrophe and self-redefinition can coexist within the same breath.
—Catherine Bray, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
This is poised to be one of the biggest beauty trends to come out of 2025, with a 1,400 percent year-over-year increase in popularity, per Spate, a company specializing in machine intelligence for the beauty industry.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025
While Kehlani has yet to win a Grammy, they’re poised to take home the gold for the first time next year.
—Heran Mamo, Billboard, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poise
Noun
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Those trends have created a new equilibrium that are keeping a lid on unemployment even as hiring stays subdued.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
-
These problems also occurred in the first weeks of the previous cease-fire, which lasted from January to March of this year; once the level of aid reached an equilibrium with the population’s needs, however, the looting abated.—
Jeremy Konyndyk,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Oct. 2025
Noun
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This was a decisive turn away from Hasina’s India-first posture and toward closer alignment with Beijing.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
The union reports that Wing Star Shoes’ management has continued to take a hostile posture against freedom of association by approaching or pressuring workers to resign from CATU membership.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
The Arctic air mass is pushing east, with New York City and Boston bracing for lows in the 30s.—
Sirena Bergman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Advertisement Many in the party are bracing for support for Schumer to become an issue in Senate races around the country.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
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But the dark cloud that’s been hovering over the Flyers’ generally solid first month of the season — the lack of production from Michkov — may have finally started to lift.—
Kevin Kurz,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Designer Chad Graci applied it to living-room ceilings of a private residence at the Four Seasons in New Orleans, where the lacquer hovers overhead like a shimmering pond.—
Kathryn O’Shea-Evans,
Robb Report,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Public comment filed before Wednesday’s meeting overwhelmingly came from builders and contractors, many of whom filed form letters asking the ACHD to soften its stance.—
Mark Dee,
Idaho Statesman,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Asked about Equity’s stance on this, Equity Communications Director David Levy stepped in to say touring contracts have had provisions for decades that allow for a Broadway stop.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Both washed the food down with drinks fortified by electrolytes.—
Don Norcross,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Nov. 2025
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Many commercial brands are fortified with calcium and vitamin D, which protect the bones.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Only a handful of rafts floated lazily in the water.—
Daniel Gonzalez,
USA Today,
9 Nov. 2025
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The Big Ten has floated an idea for a 24- or 28-team playoff that gives each power conference four automatic bids.—
Ralph D. Russo,
New York Times,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For those keen to find pieces that possess similar attitude and individuality, the fall collections have plenty of to offer.—
Cortne Bonilla,
Vogue,
9 Nov. 2025
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That no-nonsense attitude seems to come naturally for Debi Mazar, who has made a name for herself as a character actress going back decades.—
Maggie Fremont,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poise. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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