1
as in confident
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in braced
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 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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of poised
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 July 2025
The Knicks retain a loaded roster led by All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson and remain poised to contend in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
As all Baby Boomers will be 65 or older by 2030, the caregiving burden is poised to increase significantly.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Adjective
Emily is a poised and successful art gallery director whose life takes a dark turn after a brief, impulsive affair with a magnetic Italian artist, Carlo (Antonio Cupo).
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 July 2025
The Knicks retain a loaded roster led by All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson and remain poised to contend in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
Verb
Voters in Texas overwhelmingly backed two constitutional amendments on Tuesday poised to offer property tax relief to homeowners in the state struggling with higher bills.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2025
As all Baby Boomers will be 65 or older by 2030, the caregiving burden is poised to increase significantly.
—Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poised
Adjective
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If Purdy is still unable to take the field in Week 10, the 49ers are confident that Jones can continue his solid play at the quarterback position.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Both Mason and Green are confident the race will be called quickly for Sheffield, who has been a frontrunner in the race.—
Dana Afana,
Freep.com,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The 27-year-old running back joked about the celebration and braced for a possible fine during his postgame comments on Sunday.—
Matt Audilet,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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Devastated, Abel braced for what felt like an endless wait for a transplant.—
Ronnie Li,
USA Today,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Housing costs have skyrocketed in the years following the outbreak of the pandemic, and mortgage rates have hovered between 6 percent and 7 percent since 2022, chipping away at Americans’ purchasing power.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
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Meanwhile, bitcoin slid almost 3% and hovered around $100,650 in a sign of risk-off sentiment.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Senne Lammens continuing his composed start to his United career could at least counteract those types of chances for Brighton, while Amorim’s defenders will need to be astute to the movement of Hurzeler’s front-line.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Only on particularly bumpy tarmac did the GTS-spec suspension become too jarring with the adaptive dampers stiffened up in sport mode, but switching them to normal offered the best of both worlds—excellent, composed body control and tuning that ironed out imperfections remarkably well.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 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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True happiness starts at home and is fortified by internal self-worth.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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His presence fortified the trail’s grapevine, with both hikers and people who live in the small towns that line the AT sharing news of his movements.—
Grayson Haver Currin,
Outside,
30 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The Osumi Strait transit also indicates that the Kaiyangxing sailed around three of Japan's four main islands—Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu—excluding Hokkaido.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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He was challenged by former Council Member Lisa Sanchez and Lynn Bradescu, but Hallyburton sailed to victory, garnering more than 70% of the vote.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Advertisement Cheney appeared unperturbed by all of it, especially his thuggish image.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
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But the unperturbed Simpson steadied the Tide again, dropping 28- and 25-yard completions to set up Miller’s score before halftime.—
Ira Gorawara,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poised. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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