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
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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
as in to balance
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of equipoise
Timothy Naftali, Foreign Affairs, 29 Jan. 2020
One of the current Bonapartist pretenders—there are two, with different lineage—the Prince Murat, a descendant of Napoleon’s brother-in-law, was so offended by this that he was moved to write indignantly in Le Figaro on behalf of the Emperor’s erotic equipoise.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2023
WSJ, 3 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for equipoise
Noun
In 2016, Americans elected a leader who rejected the very notion of an international system that relies on the United States to maintain equipoise.
—Timothy Naftali, Foreign Affairs, 29 Jan. 2020
One of the current Bonapartist pretenders—there are two, with different lineage—the Prince Murat, a descendant of Napoleon’s brother-in-law, was so offended by this that he was moved to write indignantly in Le Figaro on behalf of the Emperor’s erotic equipoise.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 30 Nov. 2023
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
Noun
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Stockholm also expressed the equilibrium, where creativity and design evoke the balance between urban life and nature and innovation and tradition.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
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There’s something deep in our biological clocks that can’t seem to help but welcome the days when the sun stays up past 8 pm and the air temperature reaches equilibrium with our bodies.—
Bryan Walsh,
Vox,
26 May 2025
Noun
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The 15% offset is calculated from your total benefit amount before any deductions, such as your Medicare premium, Kantrowitz said.—
Annie Nova,
CNBC,
1 June 2025
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The Joint Committee on Taxation, the official revenue scorer for Congress, estimates the tax components will add $3.7 trillion to the deficit over the next decade after offsets are calculated.—
Elizabeth Crisp,
The Hill,
25 May 2025
Verb
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Enterprise Strategy Around Technical Debt Today, organizations need to balance reducing debt and developing new features, with strong data driving this decision-making.—
Shilpa Shastri,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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It is marked by spectacular flatback granite hills and balancing rocks, caves with Sanrock paintings, and forested fertile valleys.—
Percy Zvomuya,
Artforum,
1 June 2025
Noun
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Hodges and Cruz were waiting in the sandwich line at the deli counter at Joe’s Grocery, on Lenox Ave.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
30 May 2025
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As a result, a buyer could purchase Thrifty and continue distributing the ice cream to grocery chains and at ice cream counters.—
Hugh Cameron,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 May 2025
Verb
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Lightning equalize on the power play Tampa Bay got the first power play of the game with Matthew Tkachuk called for roughing.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2025
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The reciprocal tariffs may stop short of his pledge to equalize with levels charged by foreign countries on U.S. goods, Trump told reporters.—
Josh Fellman,
Quartz,
25 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Not allowing enough time to equilibrate The most accurate results are obtained after sitting in a low-stress environment for five minutes, Serwer noted.—
Melissa Rudy,
Fox News,
12 Jan. 2025
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But in that case, wouldn’t people from low-income areas just overflow to their empty beds, and then the system would equilibrate?—
Renee Hsia,
Forbes,
19 Sep. 2024
Verb
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New steering column paddles adjust regenerative braking to recapture energy, but there’s no one-pedal setting to bring the bZ to a full stop.—
Mark Phelan,
USA Today,
2 June 2025
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The handle can even be extended from 26 inches to 32.5 inches, or adjusted down to a 90-degree angle and back.—
Izzy Baskette,
People.com,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Equipoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equipoise. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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