Poise — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈpȯiz/ (verb) /ˈpwäz/ (noun)

Meaning & Definition of Poise

Poise (verb)

  1. balance; especially, to hold or carry in equilibrium
  2. to hold supported or suspended without motion in a steady position
  3. to hold or carry (the head) in a particular way

Poise (noun)

  1. a stably balanced state, equilibrium
  2. easy self-possessed assurance of manner, gracious tact in coping or handling; also, the pleasantly tranquil interaction between persons of poise
  3. a particular way of carrying oneself, bearing, carriage
  4. a centimeter-gram-second unit of viscosity equal to the viscosity of a fluid that would require a shearing force of one dyne to impart to a one-square-centimeter area of an arbitrary layer of the fluid a velocity of one centimeter per second relative to another layer separated from the first by a distance of one centimeter

Poise (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: balance, counterpoise, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, stasis
    related: counterbalance, offset, firmness, fixedness, security, stability, steadiness
    opposite: disequilibration, disequilibrium, imbalance, nonequilibrium, unbalance
    near: changeability, fluctuation, inconstancy, insecurity, instability, mutability, precariousness, shakiness, unsteadiness, volatility

  2. 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"

    similar: attitude, carriage, posture, stance, station
    related: attention, body language, pose, seat, bearing, behavior, conduct, demeanor, deportment, air, presence, aspect, look, mien

Poise (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to prepare (oneself) mentally or emotionally

    "the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference"

    similar: brace, forearm, fortify, nerve, psych (up), ready, steel, strengthen
    related: arm, harden, inure, season, toughen, bolster, boost, buoy (up), buttress, enforce, prop (up), reinforce, support, sustain, cheer (up), comfort, embolden, encourage, hearten, inspire, rally, rouse, stir
    near: daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, psych (out), shake, unnerve, debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, prostrate, sap, soften, tire, undercut, undermine, weaken

  2. 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"

    similar: drift, float, glide, hang, hover, ride, sail, swim, waft
    related: bob, dangle, suspend, buoy, balloon, raft
    opposite: settle, sink
    near: dive, lunge, plunge, dip, immerse, submerge, submerse

Related Entry: Self-poise (noun)

Self-poise is a different word from Poise. The synonyms below are for self-poise, not for poise.

  1. as in composure, self-possession

    similar: composure, self-possession, self-censorship, self-containment, self-denial, self-discipline, self-government, self-mastery, will, willpower, aloofness, detachedness, distance, command, control, mastery, possession, bashfulness, modesty, shyness, constraint, continence, discipline, discretion, inhibition, refrainment, repression, reserve, restraint, self-command, self-control, self-restraint, suppression, reticence, silence, taciturnity
    opposite: disinhibition, incontinence, unconstraint, self-abandonment, uninhibitedness, unrestrainedness, gratification, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, bluntness, candor, frankness, immoderacy, intemperance

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Poise

The most common words with a similar meaning to Poise:

balance, counterpoise, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, stasis, attitude, carriage, posture, stance, station, brace, forearm, fortify, nerve, psych (up), ready, steel, strengthen, drift, float, glide, hang, hover, ride, sail, swim, waft

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Poise

Words with the opposite meaning of Poise:

disequilibration, disequilibrium, imbalance, nonequilibrium, unbalance, settle, sink

Related Words for Poise

counterbalance, offset, firmness, fixedness, security, stability, steadiness, attention, body language, pose, seat, bearing, behavior, conduct, demeanor, deportment, air, presence, aspect, look, mien, arm, harden, inure, season, toughen, bolster, boost, buoy (up), buttress

Near Antonyms of Poise

changeability, fluctuation, inconstancy, insecurity, instability, mutability, precariousness, shakiness, unsteadiness, volatility, daunt, demoralize, discourage, dishearten, dispirit, psych (out), shake, unnerve, debilitate, enervate, enfeeble, prostrate, sap, soften, tire, undercut, undermine, weaken, dive, lunge

Word Forms of Poise

Inflections: poised, poising

Origin & Etymology of Poise

Middle English, to weigh, ponder, from Anglo-French peiser, poiser, from Latin pensare pensive

First known use: 1597t

Words & Phrases Containing Poise

self-poise

Frequently Asked Questions about Poise

What does "Poise" mean?

"Poise" means balance; especially, to hold or carry in equilibrium. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: balance; especially, to hold or carry in equilibrium. It has 4 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Poise"?

Other words for "Poise" include balance, counterpoise, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, stasis, attitude and carriage. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Poise" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Poise"?

There are 78 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Poise". Common alternatives include balance, counterpoise, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, stasis, attitude, carriage, posture and stance.

What is the opposite of "Poise"?

Antonyms of "Poise" include disequilibration, disequilibrium, imbalance, nonequilibrium, unbalance, settle and sink. Near antonyms include changeability, fluctuation, inconstancy and insecurity.

How do you use "Poise" in a sentence?

Examples of "Poise" in a sentence: "there must be a poise between the rights of the individual and the rights of society"; "the woman's poise suggested that she was accustomed to having her wishes carried out promptly and without question"; "the disgraced business executive poised herself for the difficult press conference".

Is "Poise" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Poise" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Poise"?

"Poise" is pronounced /ˈpȯiz/ as a verb and /ˈpwäz/ as a noun.

What is the origin of the word "Poise"?

"Poise" comes from Middle English, to weigh, ponder, from Anglo-French peiser, poiser, from Latin pensare pensive. First known use: 1597t.