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
Relevance
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
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
Nathan Heller, The New Yorker, 3 Mar. 2025
The politicization of what should be bipartisan information places facts and fiction in ideological equipoise for many outside the medical community.
—Brooke Redmond, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 2025
WSJ, 3 Jan. 2022
See All Example Sentences for equipoise
Noun
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
The politicization of what should be bipartisan information places facts and fiction in ideological equipoise for many outside the medical community.
—Brooke Redmond, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Feb. 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
Noun
-
In 2022, conservation experts expressed explicit concern with the building’s heavy use of concrete, noting that the museum would require an elaborate (and energy-thirsty) ventilation system to maintain internal temperature equilibrium.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
24 Apr. 2026
-
Fashioned from basalt, stone, and slate, this is the empty canvas upon which every ray of light and the sounds of birds and waves create a dynamic of its own and restore a sense of equilibrium.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Through an algebraic analysis of the robots’ parameters, such as the lengths of their links and the offsets of their joints, the team mapped out exactly where the singularities lie within their joint space.—
Jacek Krywko,
ArsTechnica,
26 Apr. 2026
-
In these window boxes, the bluish hue of dichondra 'Silver Falls' offsets pink begonias and Madagascar periwinkle.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But Vrabel balancing those two things may prove challenging because, as NFL observers are noting, he's tried balancing acts in the past.—
Armando Salguero OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
27 Apr. 2026
-
True to its name, it’s loaded with peptides to help balance excess oil, boost elasticity, and bring back that glow.—
Christa Joanna Lee,
Allure,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ethics watchdogs have flagged concerns that these donations could buy favorable regulatory treatment from the federal government, while the White House counters that critics would complain if the project were funded by taxpayers.—
Phillip M. Bailey,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Running seconds appear in the subdial at 7 o’clock, while the subdial at 4 o’clock features a 30-minute counter.—
Victoria Gomelsky,
Robb Report,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Flynn Meyer finished with seven saves for the Knights (12-0-1), while Jules Rafacz provided the equalizing goal with 17 minutes left by scoring off an assist from Maddie Krynski.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Despite dominating possession – the Quakes finished with a 37-6 edge in shots – the Black and Blue weren’t able to equalize until Jasinski’s towering header off a corner kick from Niko Tsakiris in the 57th minute.—
Harold Gutmann,
Mercury News,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Paint can also be a powerful corrective.—
Sophie Flaxman,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Mar. 2026
-
These are all refreshing correctives to the texts that previously stood in for contemporary Japan internationally, including any number of small volumes about magical cafés, bookshops, or libraries, often with cats on their covers.—
Sarah Chihaya,
New Yorker,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
But in my role as president, I must be always equilibrated.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Stay honest, keep your promises realistic, and let the connection adjust naturally instead of trying to control the outcome.—
Tarot.com,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
Another challenge was adjusting to expectations for onscreen intimacy, a staple of vertical dramas.—
Chang Che,
New Yorker,
25 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Equipoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equipoise. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
