POISES Synonyms: 93 Similar and Opposite Words

poises 1 of 2

noun

plural of poise

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

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poises

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of poise

as in fortifies

to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference

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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

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for poises

Noun

However, several Democrats, especially those in red-leaning districts, seem to be changing their messaging and backtracking on pro-transgender stances in their latest campaign ads.

— Mackenzie Chase, The Washington Examiner, 29 Sep. 2026
Donalds and Jolly both declined to clarify their stances about guns on campus when reached by the Times.

— Romy Ellenbogen Herald, Miami Herald, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of stances

Verb

The additional financing fortifies its position as one of two investors alongside the Ellison family controlling Paramount’s voting stock.

— Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
The addition of cotton and raw material-producing countries like Egypt and Ethiopia further fortifies a strong sourcing platform that already includes manufacturing giants India and China.

— Mayu Saini, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of fortifies

Verb

After lingering over spaghetti alle vongole at Ristorante Lido Azzurro, which hovers over the sea near Amalfi’s harbor, zip around the coast to sea caverns and grottos, pausing for dips in secluded spots away from the crowds.

— Lane Nieset, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Sep. 2026
Those sources said that Cultural Counsel’s workforce now hovers around 18.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of hovers

Verb

The protest came as the BBC braces to announce further cuts next week, with director general Matt Brittin planning to address staff in a Town Hall on Wednesday, expected to be chaired by Radio 4 Today show host Anna Foster.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
Newsom spoke with European Union Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra on Tuesday during New York’s Climate Week, a day after declaring a state of emergency as California braces for one of the strongest storms on record.

— Lia Russell, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Definition of braces

Verb

Wrapped in a tough, drop-proof fabric shell that floats and shrugs off water, it is engineered to survive real-world chaos.

— Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
Who actually needs digestive enzymes Signs of a genuine enzyme deficiency include diarrhea, stomach pain, bloating, unexplained weight loss and fatty or oily stool that floats.

— Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of floats

Noun

This week’s Pollwatcher looks at Americans’ attitudes and behaviors toward college education and highlights polls from two key House districts.

— Scott Clement, Washington Post, 1 Oct. 2026
Governments from tiny Qatar and Kuwait to much larger Saudi Arabia and Algeria are navigating shifting attitudes around the role of women – while also confronting economic and employment challenges.

— Monitor's Editorial Board, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of attitudes

Verb

These consumer intentions were revealed as the retail industry readies for a holiday shopping season marked by more intense holiday promotions as shoppers seek discounts as a way to offset inflationary prices.

— Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026
The battery charges itself, and the primer pump readies the carb before starting.

— Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of readies

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.

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poised

poises

poising

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“Poises.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poises. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of poises

noun

verb

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