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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Markets are losing hope that the Federal Reserve will lower rates anytime soon and are bracing for potential increases, but the deluge of capital being raised by companies signals financial conditions are already somewhat easy.
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As temperatures rise, many of these businesses are already bracing for the summer rush.
Verb
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With credit card interest rates still hovering around 20%, this may be less a strategic move and more a mandatory one.
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Attendance at the annual event has grown, Rodgers said, with attendance before the pandemic hovering around 3,000 but about 6,000 coming to the festival a year ago.
Verb
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Major powers are developing advanced anti-satellite weapons and fortifying their space infrastructure, with Russia and China investing in counterspace capabilities.
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It is primarily tasked with repairing and fortifying the city’s more than 210,000 streetlamps — a frequent target of copper wire thieves — and maintaining its network of electrical vehicle charging stations.
Verb
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Recently, a small floating structure appeared on satellite photos near the entrance to the lagoon, raising alarm in and protests from the Philippines.
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The best parts of the film, scripted with little distinction by Ana Nogueira, are the flashbacks to Kara’s final months on what’s left of her dying home planet Krypton, or more specifically, the floating colony Argo City, also headed for destruction.
Verb
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The goal ended up being the last kick of the game, as the referee blew for full-time right as the USA was readying to restart the match.
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Kevin McGarry and Kayla Wallace, both of whom have been on the hit series now readying its 14th season, and Chris McNally and his wife, fellow Hallmark actor Julie Gonzalo, were also getting ready to add new members to their families.
Verb
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Tehran retaliated by targeting ships sailing through the strait, effectively closing the sea lane and triggering the biggest oil supply disruption in history.
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Russia’s defense ministry said the crew fired warning shots several hundred yards in front of the yacht, which appeared to be sailing on a collision course with the vessel.
Verb
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Quincy High School principal Keith Ford wrote in a letter to families obtained by CBS Boston that Costa was swimming at the Boston-area pond with his classmates, all of whom had just graduated on June 9.
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An activity that may seem leisurely, such as swimming in a river, could end up more dangerous if someone encounters an unexpected rip current.
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Cite this Entry
“Poising.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poising. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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