composure

noun

com·​po·​sure kəm-ˈpō-zhər 

: a calmness or repose especially of mind, bearing, or appearance : self-possession

The witness started to break down, then paused and regained her composure.

Synonyms of composure

• calmness
• serenity
• coolness
• equilibrium
• assurance
• equanimity

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

In a 1-1 game in the 10th, Brewers reliever Joel Kuhnel lost his composure after issuing an intentional walk to Crow-Armstrong to face Alex Bregman with runners on the corners and two outs. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 28 June 2026

Adams says successful yacht chefs must also learn how to live and work closely with crew members for months at a time while maintaining composure under pressure. — Amber Love Bond, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026

In what turns out to be the biggest moment in Neil’s young serving career, the handyman and Berzatto family friend keeps his composure and colorfully chats up the diner everyone believed was the Michelin-star inspector. — Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 26 June 2026

Jorge Chipi Vera, a Paraguayan broadcaster who works for ABC Carnival and ABC TV, appeared to lose his composure when Miguel Almirón became the first player to be sent off for saying something when covering his mouth. — Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

see compose

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing composure

• keep one's cool/composure
• lose one's cool/composure
• maintain one's cool/composure

Rhymes for composure

• cynosure
• disclosure
• enclosure
• exposure
• foreclosure
• inclosure
• closure
• crozier
• mosher
• osier
• nondisclosure
• postexposure

Kids Definition

composure

noun

com·​po·​sure kəm-ˈpō-zhər 

: calmness especially of mind, manner, or appearance

she kept her composure