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
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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Last year’s struggles over speech—among protesters and counter-protesters, scholars and administrators—seemed to show a system falling out of equilibrium.—
Nathan Heller,
The New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2025
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Related article What this holiday of sacrifice teaches us about mindfulness Find equilibrium during Ramadan Fasting for Ramadan can be a dance between managing one’s physical health and water intake, and also fulfilling personal religious goals.—
Monica Haider,
CNN,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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And it’s assumed these targets will be met with some reliance on offsets, where companies pay others to cut emissions rather than doing it themselves.—
Justin Worland,
TIME,
25 Feb. 2025
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Before determining taxes on capital gains, a taxpayer first offsets, or nets, gains and losses against each other.—
Bob Carlson,
Forbes,
24 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Statistically, a career-high 12.6% walk rate balances a career-high 16.4% Sw/Str rate.—
Gene McCaffrey,
The Athletic,
11 Mar. 2025
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Policymakers must balance national interests with economic realities, ensuring that the H-1B program remains a vehicle for attracting and retaining the world’s brightest minds.—
Sweta Khandelwal,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Various pills were scattered on a counter, and a space heater was on the floor next to her, according to a search warrant affidavit.—
Christina Dugan Ramirez,
Fox News,
7 Mar. 2025
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Arakawa’s body was found on the bathroom floor, beside a counter with pills scattered about, while the 95-year-old Hackman was found collapsed on the floor of another room in the house.—
Martha Ross,
The Mercury News,
7 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Anyone expecting a quick concession by the EU to equalize tariffs is likely to be disappointed, because Trump has said Europe has imposed an unfair regime on U.S. imports because of its use of subtle disguises known as non-tariff barriers.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes,
11 Mar. 2025
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Rella Suskin, equity analyst at Morningstar, said Trump’s levy threats were likely a negotiating tactic aimed at equalizing U.S.-EU auto tariffs.—
Sam Meredith,
CNBC,
2 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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What makes this product truly unique is its innovative technology – the formula starts off as a grey tint, then adjusts to seamlessly match your skin tone, providing a flawless finish.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2025
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That doesn’t make sense [now] so people will adjust.—
Rachel Ringler,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Equipoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equipoise. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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