composure

noun

com·​po·​sure kəm-ˈpō-zhər How to pronounce composure (audio)
: a calmness or repose especially of mind, bearing, or appearance : self-possession
The witness started to break down, then paused and regained her composure.
Choose the Right Synonym for composure

equanimity, composure, sangfroid mean evenness of mind under stress.

equanimity suggests a habit of mind that is only rarely disturbed under great strain.

accepted her troubles with equanimity

composure implies the controlling of emotional or mental agitation by an effort of will or as a matter of habit.

maintaining his composure even under hostile questioning

sangfroid implies great coolness and steadiness under strain.

handled the situation with professional sangfroid

Examples of composure in a Sentence

After the initial shock she regained her composure. kept his composure in spite of the repeated provocations
Recent Examples on the Web Spring kept her composure as Rosing pushed her while yelling slurs at her, the video shows. Kc Baker, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024 Popular on Variety That’s a lot to pin on a largely solo character study, though a performance of extraordinary composure and layering by Joana Santos shoulders the task. Guy Lodge, Variety, 18 Oct. 2024 As the actress is dying of lymphoma, the disease would kill her at twenty-nine, she is artfully arranged and fully made up; yet her composure undercuts any sense of artifice. Benjamin Moser, The New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2024 Yet for all that composure, Yanya isn’t afraid to let her emotions boil over. Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for composure 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'composure.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

see compose

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of composure was in 1647

Dictionary Entries Near composure

Cite this Entry

“Composure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/composure. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

composure

noun
com·​po·​sure kəm-ˈpō-zhər How to pronounce composure (audio)
: calmness especially of mind, manner, or appearance
she kept her composure

More from Merriam-Webster on composure

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