1
as in confident
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Dissimilar Words
1
as in braced
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 hovered
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
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Recent Examples of poised
Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 10 July 2025
The Knicks retain a loaded roster led by All-NBA guard Jalen Brunson and remain poised to contend in a wide-open Eastern Conference.
—Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 7 July 2025
Bloomberg, Mercury News, 8 Jan. 2026
Cuts to food aid — poised to impact 375,000 Californians.
—Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for poised
Adjective
Emily is a poised and successful art gallery director whose life takes a dark turn after a brief, impulsive affair with a magnetic Italian artist, Carlo (Antonio Cupo).
—Verb
The chipmaker said this week that it’s now poised to exceed the $500 billion target.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for poised
Adjective
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The Dunning-Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which people with less knowledge or skill feel overly confident.—
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On a crucial third-and-10 just inside field goal range, Beck was confident with his pass to Marion to get well within range.—
Verb
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While Glenn braced herself for backlash, the overwhelmingly positive reception felt like freedom.—
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Aisha braced in anticipation of her next question.—
Verb
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Crude oil prices have hovered around $60 a barrel in recent days.—
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At its peak in 2000, GE’s market cap hovered around $600 billion, more than $1 trillion in today’s dollars.—
Adjective
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More aggressive than the Tide, more physical, more composed and clearly better prepared, the Hoosiers showed zero rust after a month-long break after the Big Ten championship game.—
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But Peggy never forgot her roots; a genre-blending selector with range, she’s known for her energetic but composed sets.—
Adjective
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Of the other methods – including electrocution, lethal gas and hanging – lethal injection had the highest botch rate of more than 7%. ‘An embrace of brutality’ Still, states have remained averse to the firing squad, a position that experts who spoke to CNN believe stems from its overt violence.—
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The neutral material keeps it from looking like an eye sore and can be expanded for more hanging space as needed.—
Verb
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True happiness starts at home and is fortified by internal self-worth.—
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His presence fortified the trail’s grapevine, with both hikers and people who live in the small towns that line the AT sharing news of his movements.—
Verb
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Guard Deja Jones started, but her recent struggles continued and head coach Zenarae Antoine pulled her quickly after a bad transition pass sailed over the head of forward Taleiyah Gibbs.—
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But the rookie’s kick sailed wide right just as time expired, sending the Steelers into the playoffs and ending the Ravens’ season on a heartbreaking note.—
Adjective
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Advertisement Cheney appeared unperturbed by all of it, especially his thuggish image.—
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But the unperturbed Simpson steadied the Tide again, dropping 28- and 25-yard completions to set up Miller’s score before halftime.—
Cite this Entry
“Poised.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/poised. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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