View synonyms for poised

poised

[ poizd ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

(of a person) composed, dignified, and self-assured.
being in balance or equilibrium:
a ball poised on the nose of a seal.
teetering or wavering:
to be poised on the brink of disaster.
hovering or suspended in or as in midair:
a bird poised in flight; a helicopter poised overhead.
readied or prepared to do something or for something to happen:
a singer poised to make sales history with a new album.

poised

/ pɔɪzd /

Origin of poised¹

First recorded in 1635–45; poise ¹ + -ed ², -ed ³

Hovering above the scene, commandos in helicopters were poised with automatic rifles.

Already, 10 Republicans have declared they will vote for an alternative candidate and more seemed poised to join.

The current conflict it fuels is now poised to last long into the new year.

The brand logo turned out to feature a graceful archer on horseback, in a Tatar national costume, poised to shoot his arrow.

The grandson of legendary fashion editor Diana Vreeland, Nicholas Vreeland was poised for a decadent life in high-society.

His neck looked as powerful as a bull's, and his rather small head was poised upon it with a sort of triumphant boldness.

Quickly her poised arm descended, and the knife she held sank deeply into his heart.

Black Hood altered his position slightly so that he clung to the pole with one hand, his body poised for a leap.

Automatic pencil poised, he was scanning the crossword puzzle intently.

Then with superb curves the lovely gulls swept round, and remained delicately poised over the stern.

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