1
as in bracing
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 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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If a November ballot measure to increase sales tax funding fails and no new revenue becomes available, the agency is bracing for drastic cuts and fare increases.—
Lilly Kersh,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026 -
Cahill and his group will be bracing the cold and rain until midnight on Friday in hopes of collecting the data that will, in return, gain attention and funding.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The average price in Michigan had been hovering just below $4 for regular unleaded gas in recent days, but hit $4 once the prices were updated on Tuesday, according to AAA-The Auto Club Group.—
Paula Wethington,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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With temperatures hovering at a steady 4°C (39°F), any organism — or submersible — venturing into this zone must be strong enough to handle both the extreme cold and the massive hydrostatic force of the deep.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
23 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Analysts noted similar activity occurred before last year’s Operation Midnight Hammer strikes, suggesting a pattern of fortifying critical facilities in anticipation of attacks.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
12 Mar. 2026
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Elevating their expertise and fortifying their decades-long involvement in the process of independent evaluation and guidance is critical to restore public trust in federal policymaking.—
Jerome Adams,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Just days after floating the idea of using verification to differentiate human and bot accounts, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman on Wednesday announced measures the company will take to execute its plans.—
Jibin Joseph,
PC Magazine,
26 Mar. 2026
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Sunday Leadoff was where NBC/Peacock first kicked the tires on the floating guest-analyst format.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
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So California may be readying to wage a two-front battle — the familiar one against smog, but a second, altogether new one, against an administration determined to let California get smoggy again.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Mar. 2026
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Angharad James-Turner scored in her first start for the Reign in Spokane, where the team is playing three games while Lumen Field in Seattle is readying for this summer's World Cup.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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At the same time, Marine units based in Japan are sailing toward the region, with additional Marines from California potentially following in the weeks ahead.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
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Contestants — 16 young, sexy singles primed for Instagram glory — mingle and couple up aboard a luxury yacht sailing the Mediterranean Sea.—
Heather Bushman,
IndyStar,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The Oceanside Lifeguard Division urged the public to use caution when entering the ocean, particularly when lifeguards are not on duty, and to avoid swimming alone.—
Kelly Davis,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
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At those locations, sharks and people were found swimming together 97% of the time.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Mar. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Poising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poising. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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