compose

verb

com·pose kəm-ˈpōz

composed; composing

Synonyms of compose next

transitive verb

: to form by putting together : fashion

a committee composed of three representatives—

Current Biography

: to form the substance of : constitute

composed of many ingredients

: to produce (columns, pages of type, etc.) by composition

: to create by mental or artistic labor : produce

compose a sonnet

b(1)

: to formulate and write (a piece of music)

composed a symphony

(2)

: to compose music for

: to deal with or act on so as to reduce to a minimum

compose their differences

: to arrange in proper or orderly form

The two men had laid him on the bed, and composed his limbs.—

Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu

: to free from agitation : calm, settle

composed himself

Life moves on, … and one must compose oneself to meet it …—

Rose Macaulay

intransitive verb

: to practice composition (as of literary, musical, or typographical work)

At the age of 10, he was composing at the piano.

Examples of compose in a Sentence

She composed a letter to her sister. He is in his studio composing.

Recent Examples on the Web Continue reading… 'UNCHARTED TERRITORY': Texas church uses AI for generating worship service, composing original song. —

Fox News Staff, Fox News, 20 Sep. 2023 Pâté en croûte, the centuries-old French dish composed of meat terrine baked in savory pastry, was first developed out of economy as a way to preserve and use up bits of offal. —

New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023 Clocking in at 46 minutes and composed of nine movements, Promises is leisurely, deep and often fairly mystic, with the Philharmonic adding moments of climactic grandeur and Sanders’ playing serving as the sonic and spiritual center, his signature tone offering moments of elegance and cacophony. —

Katie Bain, Billboard, 19 Sep. 2023 Denial of death is at the center of the human experience, and confronting it through song — no matter how soothing, renewing and gorgeously composed — could be seen by some as a heavy burden, but Byrne doesn’t experience it that way. —

Chris Kelly, Washington Post, 13 Sep. 2023 Trending His ailment has not however kept Simon from composing new music. —

Carita Rizzo, Rolling Stone, 12 Sep. 2023 It’s followed by a plate of pot stickers, whose filling is composed of 47 percent chicken cells. —

Tim Carman, Washington Post, 15 Sep. 2023 The original score is composed by Alan Palomo of Neon Indian and the cinematography is by Andrey Nikolaev. —

Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Sep. 2023 Pluma’s band, composed of a tololoche double bass, brass players, requinto guitars, and a whole string section, helped preserve the traditional spirit of corridos instead of kowtowing to some Anglo award show producer’s whims. —

Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 13 Sep. 2023 See More

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