as in stances
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
Relevance
1
as in fortifies
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 hovers
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for poises
Noun
-
Perhaps both players would have remained stalwart in their stances.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026 -
The intelligence director, who had taken passionately anti-war stances as a member of Congress, walked an awkward line.—
Shane Harris,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Justin Faulk immediately fortifies Detroit’s second defense pair next to Ben Chiarot.—
The Athletic NHL Staff,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Adding keratin back into hair fortifies the strands ultimately yielding stronger, healthier hair.—
Sophie Wirt,
InStyle,
26 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
On a warm Sunday afternoon, Shamim Popal hovers in the kitchen of her Middleburg, Virginia, home, making brunch for her family.—
Liam Scott,
Washington Post,
5 Apr. 2026
-
The average for 3-point shooting, pro and college, hovers around 35%.—
Nick Canepa,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
On this tour, the postures struck are much fewer and farther in-between, or less planned and deliberate-seeming.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
6 Apr. 2026
-
The exchange was a distillation of their diverging postures toward the war that their boss has launched in Iran.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
While Silicon Valley braces for overnight layoffs, is China faring any better?—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Vietnam’s airlines are suspending some domestic routes as the country braces for jet fuel shortages.—
Nicholas Gordon,
Fortune,
29 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But when Willy floats into a conversation with Ben or experiences a memory of Biff’s high-school glory days, golden light floods the stage through a high bank of dirty windows.—
Sara Holdren,
Vulture,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Yet the technology for wind power that floats is just emerging, and has never been attempted in waters as deep as the Pacific off Northern California.—
Deputy Managing Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
This marks a seismic shift in attitudes toward the technology’s promise.—
Terrence Curtin,
Fortune,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Our attitudes, our hang-ups, our fears.—
Colin Fleming,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The offering's launch comes as Novo readies for a new oral GLP-1 from its rival Eli Lilly, expected later this year.—
Alex Harring,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
-
When the car hits paved road and the basket stops dancing as much, the beetle, perhaps confused, readies her wings.—
María Ospina,
The Dial,
31 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Poises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poises. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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