1
as in braced
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of poised
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
According to these arbiters, there is a correct way to react when your husband achieves a lifetime dream, and Stoll’s poised and somewhat reserved response was far from it.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
But instead of extending the mission, NASA is poised to force its termination later this month, leaving Jupiter alone and spacecraft-free for the rest of the decade.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Verb
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
According to these arbiters, there is a correct way to react when your husband achieves a lifetime dream, and Stoll’s poised and somewhat reserved response was far from it.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 17 Apr. 2025
Adjective
But studio executives and awards strategists believe that Toronto and Sundance may have endured the worst of it — and are poised for a rebound.
—Brent Lang, Variety, 3 Sep. 2025
But instead of extending the mission, NASA is poised to force its termination later this month, leaving Jupiter alone and spacecraft-free for the rest of the decade.
—Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for poised
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poised
Verb
-
Cadrez’s two sons arrived with their mother not long after — and braced for the worst.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 Sep. 2025
-
Hanoi/Beijing Reuters — Vietnam announced plans to evacuate more than half a million people and ordered boats to stay ashore, while the southern Chinese city of Sanya closed businesses and public transport on Sunday as both braced for an intensifying Typhoon Kajiki.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
24 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
A couple of lanky students from the Tandon School of Engineering hovered by the shelf, considering a box of disco balls up top.—
Ben McGrath,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
-
As for most of the tournament, Sinner’s first-serve percentage hovered around 50, and Auger-Aliassime took the initiative with flashing forehands and the bravery to go after his shots in baseline rallies.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Republican strategist Michael Biundo was among many to observe how confident Kirk was from the jump, how undaunted by being new to the scene and often the youngest person in the mix.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 Sep. 2025
-
It was created with the intention of promoting AI fluency and a future-ready, AI-confident workforce.—
Malana VanTyler,
USA Today,
11 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Miami Dolphins’ roster received a couple of substantial upgrades last week, which fortified the team’s depth in weak areas on the 2025 roster.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
2 Sep. 2025
-
Many commercial brands are fortified with calcium and vitamin D, which protect the bones.—
Lauren O'Connor,
Health,
1 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
After leaving Tokyo, the aircraft carrier sailed north and was spotted transiting the Tsugaru Strait on Friday from the Pacific Ocean toward the Sea of Japan.—
Ryan Chan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Sep. 2025
-
The game took an ugly turn for the Angels in the sixth, when reliever Brock Burke sailed a throw six feet over first baseman Oswald Peraza’s head on Thomas’s inning-opening comebacker, an error that led to an unearned run and a 9-1 A’s lead.—
Mike Digiovanna,
Oc Register,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The vocabulary being used by Qatar’s prime minister is strong, evocative and damning, a departure from his usual composed response to the incessant twists and turns of trying to end the 23-month war in Gaza.—
Paula Hancocks,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Remember, significant wealth can be created in the market by those who maintain a composed and strategic approach during times of volatility.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
That’s an enormous lever—but far smaller than the 10–40 trillion-tonne estimates that have floated around for years.—
Phil De Luna,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Purdy scrambled to his right and floated a ball toward backup tight end Jake Tonges in the back of the end zone.—
Michael-Shawn Dugar,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Poised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poised. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share