1
as in equilibrium
a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another
there must be a poise between the rights of the individual and the rights of society
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in posture
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
1
as in to brace
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 to hover
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
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.
Recent Examples of poise
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 17 Dec. 2025
The structured cut ensures poise and presence, while the fine pattern and feminine fit make this look absolutely evening ready.
—Naomi De Oliveira, Glamour, 16 Dec. 2025
Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Jan. 2026
China is reportedly poised to approve the imports, despite a top-down push for technology self-sufficiency.
—Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poise
Noun
His poise is going to be basically contagious through the whole group.
—Verb
She is now poised to become just the seventh performer ever to land Oscar noms in multiple years for playing the same character, and only the second to do so in back-to-back years.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for poise
Noun
-
No stable equilibrium would be arrived at easily.—
-
Cramer warned that these moments can feel chaotic — even irrational — but are often driven by valuation extremes finally snapping back toward equilibrium.—
Noun
-
Maintaining an upright posture, press the dumbbells overhead until your elbows are almost straight.—
-
The Four Freedoms were civic posture.—
Verb
-
The Texas Education Agency will meet with the Lake Worth community Wednesday as the school district braces for a state takeover.—
-
Dean, as Ruby’s ambitious friend and mentor who is also braced for loss, is particularly outstanding, while Todd Field nicely depicts the solace and agonies one faces when establishing tight boundaries in life.—
Verb
-
And hovering in the background is a lingering sense of something larger.—
-
Clouds are expected to increase Friday night, with temperatures hovering near freezing.—
Noun
-
The move marks a clear departure from Washington’s earlier stance, which presumed rejection of nearly all such requests.—
-
Trump has so far not taken a strong stance on either the issue of Taiwan or in the spat between China and Japan.—
Verb
-
Overall, though, New Jersey didn’t land enough difference-makers to fortify the club’s supporting cast.—
-
Foods like yogurt and kefir offer gut-friendly probiotics, and milk is often fortified with vitamin D.—
Verb
-
The committee floated a proposal to implement new requirements for where these businesses can be built in relation to each other, and to strengthen pre-existing requirements.—
-
His administration is also buying housing bonds and floated the idea of a 50-year mortgage in an effort to bring down the cost of homeownership.—
Noun
-
Black Midi were known for their wild live shows, improvisational but generally aggressive riffs and devil-may-care attitude.—
-
The book also shines a prominent light on how attitudes toward certain drugs have changed over time by showing when and where they were embraced.—
Cite this Entry
“Poise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poise. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
