equipoise

American  

[ee-kwuh-poiz, ek-wuh-] / ˈi kwəˌpɔɪz, ˈɛk wə- /

noun

1. an equal distribution of weight; even balance; equilibrium.

2. a counterpoise.

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verb (used with object)

equipoised, equipoising

1. to equal or offset in weight; balance.

equipoise British  

/ ˈɛkwɪˌpɔɪz /

noun

1. even balance of weight or other forces; equilibrium

2. a counterbalance; counterpoise

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verb

1. (tr) to offset or balance in weight or force; balance

Etymology

Origin of equipoise

First recorded in 1625–35; equi- + poise ¹

Explanation

Looking for a really fancy way to say "balance" or "equilibrium"? Then stand up straight and try equipoise on for size. When broken down into its etymological parts, equipoise is simply equi, meaning "equal," plus "poise." Equal poise: a balance of weight, forces or interests. So tight-rope walkers have excellent equipoise, as do balance beam gymnasts. And when the U.S. Senate is made up of half Republicans, half Democrats? There should be some equipoise of power, but that usually just leads to stalemate.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

equipoise equipoised

As Sam Sacks writes of this posthumously published collection of short stories, “Segal never loses her equipoise, or her sense of humor, in these most extreme confrontations with mortality.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 31, 2026

This equipoise held for four very productive years, but there comes a moment in all love stories when one partner gets fidgety and starts to pull away.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 4, 2025

But there are some from across the debate who don't think there is equipoise in this case.

From BBC ● Dec. 8, 2024

Often we think that if we are not happy, it's our problem, and we just have to show more grit, or the new terminology, more "mindfulness," and we'd achieve greater equipoise.

From Salon ● Apr. 12, 2023

Certainly much of Katherine’s equipoise came from her father, Joshua.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

It’s the sort of thing those who’ve avoided playing Minecraft but still find it intriguing should pay attention to—an exquisite, LEGO-like builder deftly equipoised between structured and freeform play.

From Time ● Dec. 19, 2016

When the brain is wearied by the passions, appetite and digestion are almost gone….There is nowhere perfect health, save when the passions are well regulated, harmonized, and equipoised.

From Hygienic Physiology : with Special Reference to the Use of Alcoholic Drinks and Narcotics by Joel Dorman Steele

The Kentuckian's pulsations seem to be regulated by a gigantic and equipoised animal impulse.

From The Kentuckian in New-York, Volume I (of 2) or, The Adventures of Three Southerns by William Alexander Caruthers

When power was thus nicely equipoised, there was a natural tendency to avoid conflicting issues.

From The History of England From the Accession of Henry III. to the Death of Edward III. (1216-1377) by William Hunt

July 3.—Whoever wishes to know how, in Mr. Seward's mind, right and law are equipoised, should read the correspondence between the State Department and the Attorney-General in the case of a criminal runaway from Saxony.

From Diary from November 12, 1862, to October 18, 1863 by Adam G. de Gurowski, Count