1
as in bracing
to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally
the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in hovering
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 poising
Verb
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With the climate crisis only deepening each year, throwing natural cycles and seasons into disarray, Japan is now bracing for future spikes in human-bear encounters each fall and spring.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025 -
The couple and another teen riding with the girl snapped into action and reached over to grab onto her for the duration of the ride, each bracing hard against the car as the ride zoomed at highway speeds through its hills, drops and turns.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The Museu de Arte de São Paulo Assis Chateaubriand (MASP) is not only an important museum in Latin America, its original building is also a cultural landmark dramatically hovering over Avenida Paulista.—
Jade Moyano,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Nov. 2025
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Chicago Public Schools have had to move elementary school recess indoors after tear gas was deployed and teachers have complained of helicopters hovering over their schools, scaring students.—
Natasha Korecki,
NBC news,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The ensuing film combines soul with CGI, fortifying the lofty reputation Pixar had already built by 2001, just six years into its theatrical run.—
Chris Snellgrove,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Dec. 2025
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Instead of fortifying their position, the Pats watched while a few competitors stocked up around them.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
20 Dec. 2025
Verb
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While the white shiplap interior, floor-to-ceiling windows, and floating staircase create an airy feel, there’s also plenty of texture among the leather, wood and rattan furnishings to warm things up.—
Lori Keong,
Architectural Digest,
6 Nov. 2025
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Hu also revealed that China is exploring other nuclear vessels, including a Suezmax oil tanker powered by a lead-bismuth cooled fast reactor and a floating nuclear power station.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Nov. 2025
Verb
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The quiet professionalism of the crew standing watch beneath the Great Plains, the sailors navigating unseen through dark oceans and the pilots readying aircraft older than their parents are the heart of America’s deterrence.—
Naveed Jamali,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Newcomer Mae Schenk is readying to check into the Plaza hotel.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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After her inaugural season sailing the Caribbean this winter, the Star Princess will make the voyage through the Panama Canal to kick off a series of Alaska cruises in the summer of 2026.—
Mackenzie Schmidt,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
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The sessions will continue in the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, a private island sanctuary in the Bahamas, where guests will learn about coral restoration and marine protection, before sailing the turquoise waters with Horn to see the importance of protecting the delicate underwater ecosystems.—
Rachel Cormack,
Robb Report,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The big animals were still swimming as night fell and the hunters returned home.—
Bill Kearney,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Jan. 2026
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Meanwhile, just some of the experiences left on her impressive list include visiting Vatican City, going on a cruise, running a marathon, swimming with dolphins and visiting the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Poising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poising. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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