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
Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
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
Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
The war with Iran is poised to enter a new and potentially more dangerous phase.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poised
Adjective
Later that year, political pressure forced the government to pause licensing plans, though companies remain poised to resume if approvals restart.
—Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
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
Verb
Are they poised to do it again?
—Evan Grant, Dallas Morning News, 23 Mar. 2026
The war with Iran is poised to enter a new and potentially more dangerous phase.
—NBC news, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poised
Adjective
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The suburbs have also grown more diverse and educated over the past few decades, demographic shifts that may make Democrats more confident.—
Steve Peoples,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
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Chevrolet seems confident that both versions of the Grand Sport will become the lineup’s best-selling models.—
Lawrence Ulrich,
Robb Report,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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This is surprising for something that is supposed to require less hovering, especially if the host is out of hearing range of the device's alerts.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
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September Dawn Bottoms for NBC News Carter had braced for a backlash.—
Bracey Harris,
NBC news,
25 Mar. 2026
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Though Ohio braced for severe weather, with some areas seeing hail come down, on March 22, some Ohio's cities reached record high temperatures during the day.—
Mariyam Muhammad,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Blue Devils ended up with a six-point win, though the game spread hovered close to 30 by tipoff.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
21 Mar. 2026
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For six straight days, call-out rates have hovered above 9% as employees continue working without pay.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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What caught my attention, however, beyond the lip-syncing and costume changes, was the family opposite me: the mother neat and composed, father in golf-course polo and chinos, two thirty-something sons cheering alongside a girlfriend who would not look out of place on a pageant stage.—
Sophie Morgan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Mar. 2026
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Before Tuesday night, Konate had looked much more composed and commanding.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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To maintain the immersive illusion, Iñárritu eschewed traditional hanging fabric.—
Robert Lang,
Deadline,
20 Feb. 2026
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Leaving either of those bare was a topic of discussion, Carney says; a trade-off between the goal of paying homage to Steinway’s legacy and getting enough hanging space.—
Adriane Quinlan,
Curbed,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Huel sells a range of protein shakes and drinks fortified with nutrients.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
23 Mar. 2026
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The elevator to it is fortified for heavy loads.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the 1400s, the Portuguese sailed to the delta, kidnapped people, and sold them as slaves.—
Noo Saro-Wiwa,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
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Ivišić somehow sailed all the way to the basket for a monster one-handed jam, causing his teammates on the bench, including twin brother Tomislav, to jump around in celebration.—
Colleen Kane,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Poised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poised. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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