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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The calming formula is infused with an antioxidant-rich blend of mugwort, green tea, and panthenol to bring your skin back to a comfortable, irritation-free equilibrium.—
Devon Abelman,
Allure,
11 Feb. 2025
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After a certain period of time in deep water, the inert gases breathed in by a diver, or in this case, a sentinel resident, dissolve into body tissues and eventually reach an equilibrium with the pressure in their particular depth.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The Senate's adoption is an early step in the process, which requires detailed work by committees to work out the details of spending, as well as of any offsets to help pay for the additional funds.—
Barbara Sprunt,
NPR,
21 Feb. 2025
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The latest: Although the scope of the offsets is not entirely clear, lobbyists and aides don't expect using major — or possibly any — health policy changes as payfors.—
Stef W. Kight,
Axios,
11 Feb. 2025
Verb
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The probiotics in yogurt help balance the gut microbiome and reduce inflammation—key factors in colon cancer development.—
Sarah Garone,
Health,
26 Feb. 2025
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The music is high-energy melodic metal, the art pops off the screen, and the challenge is largely the same: balancing momentary threats against the need to prepare for future baddies.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
26 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Hold Cutting Boards In Place Some cutting boards are quite slick on top of counters, which is both unsafe and inconvenient when chopping food.—
Melissa Locker,
Southern Living,
23 Feb. 2025
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Although Perron in Stl or our own JVR in Philly would be a good counter arguments.—
Aaron Portzline,
The Athletic,
23 Feb. 2025
Verb
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To equalize the American workplace so that gig/independent contractors and legacy employment are equal.—
Kody Boye,
USA TODAY,
25 Feb. 2025
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State funding rarely equalizes these disparities adequately.—
Linda Darling-Hammond,
Forbes,
25 Feb. 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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But this year saw a freak variable that prompted DraftKings to adjust the lines.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
26 Feb. 2025
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Kayla Bartkowski / Getty Images The budget resolution directs congressional committees to craft their own proposals to hit spending targets, increasing or decreasing funding by adjusting programs and policies that fall under their purview.—
Kaia Hubbard,
CBS News,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Equipoise.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/equipoise. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.
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