1
as in braced
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hovered
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
1
as in confident
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of poised
Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
Stay focused, stay poised and let your work speak louder than the headlines.
—Maha Abouelenein, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Ethan Stone, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
The defending champion Celtics certainly look poised for a repeat.
—Sam Settleman, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Verb
Her poised and in-command speech also served as a contrast to the cane-waving Rep. Al Green's shouting responses to Trump that resulted in his being escorted from the chamber by the sergeant-at-arms.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
Stay focused, stay poised and let your work speak louder than the headlines.
—Maha Abouelenein, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
With a combination of strategic acquisitions, high-quality programming, and a passion for the industry, TMN is poised to continue its ascent in the competitive world of talk radio syndication.
—Ethan Stone, USA Today, 13 Apr. 2025
The defending champion Celtics certainly look poised for a repeat.
—Sam Settleman, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poised
Verb
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At exactly noon on New Year’s Day, about 20 people braced their feet against the silty shore of Lake Natoma, hopping and fidgeting to warm themselves.—
Annika Merrilees,
Sacramento Bee,
1 Jan. 2025
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Trinidad and Tobago declared a state of emergency on Monday as the government braced for reprisal shootings after an attempt on a gang leader’s life, officials said.—
Reuters,
NBC News,
30 Dec. 2024
Verb
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In Gabon, youth unemployment has hovered above 35% in recent years.—
Richard Aidoo,
The Conversation,
10 Apr. 2025
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The price in 2024 hovered around the dollar mark.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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From there, the team set about making Victor feel comfortable and confident as both a filmmaker and a performer.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
-
Actually, confident isn’t extreme enough of a word.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
26 June 2025
Verb
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What hope had been fortified in the first half Wednesday had faded by the second.—
Houston Mitchell,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
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It is often fortified with iodine, a trace element necessary for thyroid health.—
Lindsey DeSoto,
Health,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Then take the time to analyze the situation before delivering a thoughtful and composed response.—
Christopher Fairbank,
Forbes.com,
18 June 2025
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McIlroy looked composed and steady at 2-under through nine.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Of the other methods – including electrocution, lethal gas and hanging – lethal injection had the highest botch rate of more than 7%. ‘An embrace of brutality’ Still, states have remained averse to the firing squad, a position that experts who spoke to CNN believe stems from its overt violence.—
Dakin Andone,
CNN Money,
10 Apr. 2025
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The neutral material keeps it from looking like an eye sore and can be expanded for more hanging space as needed.—
Micaela Arnett,
Rolling Stone,
10 Jan. 2024
Verb
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The plan, reported in January in The Age newspaper, has been floated by the three most powerful and richest cricket nations - India, Australia and England who would be part of a top tier consisting of seven teams.—
Tristan Lavalette,
Forbes.com,
10 Apr. 2025
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However, she has been floated as a potential 2028 presidential contender.—
Julia Manchester,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Big Ag fears varieties of amaranth as an existential threat to industrial crops, since the plants are unperturbed by the industry’s arsenal of weed killers.—
Michael Shaikh
June 25,
Literary Hub,
25 June 2025
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Wood was also unperturbed by the rumors Goggins unfollowed her after wrapping.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poised. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
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