equipoise 1 of 2

noun

ˈe-kwə-ˌpȯiz How to pronounce equipoise (audio)
Definition of equipoisenext
1
as in equilibrium
a condition in which opposing forces are equal to one another when participating in any dangerous sport, one should maintain an equipoise between fearless boldness and commonsense caution

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in offset
a force or influence that makes an opposing force ineffective or less effective her frugality is a much-needed equipoise to her husband's spendthrift ways

Synonyms & Similar Words

equipoise

2 of 2

verb

as in to balance

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 equipoise
Noun
There’s been this delicate equipoise between Russia and the US for the majority of the Cold War, even though the number of weapons has come down a lot from its peak in the eighties. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 27 June 2025 People on both sides of the issue posited that, for all the claims of equipoise, the new rules at Harvard had been introduced with the goal of containing pro-Palestinian protest. — Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
Verb
The authors do a great job demonstrating that allowing respect for autonomy has, at a minimum, equipoise with the authoritarian approach, if not superiority, when considering a range of measures of health and happiness. — WSJ, 3 Jan. 2022 See All Example Sentences for equipoise
Recent Examples of Synonyms for equipoise
  1. equilibrium
  2. offset
  3. balance
  4. counter
  5. equalize
  6. corrective
  7. equilibrate
  8. adjust
Noun
  • In the close quarters of the boat, the family’s fragile equilibrium, long organised around his volatility, begins to crack.
    — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The warm gravy seeped into the buttermilk biscuit pieces just enough to create a divine equilibrium between damp and drenched.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of equilibrium
Noun
  • Step 6 Run a small offset spatula around edges of cake to loosen, then invert out onto rack.
    — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Sep. 2026
  • Chinese Money Plant Chinese money plants (Pilea peperomioides) often produce offsets or baby plants, which are easy to divide and repot into their own containers.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Sep. 2026
Definition of offset
Verb
  • India is trying to balance its ties with Russia against its growing partnerships with the United States and other Western powers.
    — HANNA ARHIROVA, Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The Premium Back Relief Cushion balances firm posture support with long-lasting comfort, while the XL Seat Cushion offers wider support.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of balance
Noun
  • Opening later in 2026 is an intimate omakase counter with just 12 seats.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The SoHo restaurant is best known for its open kitchen in the center of the room, with a chef’s counter surrounding it.
    — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of counter
Verb
  • Gonçalo Ramos, who has taken the 41-year-old forward’s place, set up João Cancelo’s opener, then responded with Portugal’s second goal two minutes after Mikkel Damsgaard equalized in the 23rd.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2026
  • And as the trough of lower pressure equalizes with the rest of the atmosphere next week, temps will only warm slightly.
    — Sean Macaday, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of equalize
Noun
  • The need for correctives is extensive, and the work is well under way.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Oct. 2026
  • State Board of Education member Brandon Hall, a pastor from Weatherford who voted for the mandate, framed the changes as a corrective.
    — Rachel Royster. Produced with AI assistance, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026
Definition of corrective
Verb
  • The other thing is that, rather than increasing with surface area, lift tends to drop because the sheets are more likely to equilibrate to the prevailing temperatures.
    — Andrew Cunningham, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2025
  • Housing would equilibrate if the city had a static population.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 14 Aug. 2025
Definition of equilibrate
Verb
  • Earlier this year, the EU softened its corporate sustainability disclosure rules and adjusted its carbon pricing framework.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The advice is nearly always the same — wait until after midnight, preferably until the hours before dawn, then give your eyes half an hour to adjust to the darkness.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of adjust

Browse Nearby Words

equipment
equipoise
equipoised
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Cite this Entry

“Equipoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equipoise. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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