composure

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noun com·po·sure \ kəm-ˈpō-zhər \

Definition of composure

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

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

See composure defined for English-language learners

See composure defined for kids

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 of composure from the Web

View 53 Photos Under pressure, the Discovery loses some composure.

— alex conley, Car and Driver, "2017 Land Rover Discovery Td6 Diesel," 11 Aug. 2017
Since joining the Spanish side after concluding a six-year stay in the Premier League with both Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, the Frenchman has been widely lauded for his composure on the ball and unique passing abilities.

— SI.com, "Juventus & Arsenal Put on Red Alert as it's Claimed La Liga Star Wants to Leave Sevilla," 9 Aug. 2017
A sterling example of Native American warriors’ composure and commitment under pressure, the code talkers’ story is but a small piece of a much larger narrative.

— ryan p. smith, Smithsonian, "A New Memorial Will Soon Honor the Heroism of Native American Veterans," 9 Aug. 2017
Even when such an emotional outburst is understandable, a loving, mature adult will de-escalate and apologize for losing his composure.

— carolyn hax, idahostatesman, "Husband insists on allowing disabled mom to crash beach vacation," 3 Aug. 2017
Salzetta, keeping his composure, cleared the snow from the exhaust pipe of Parete's BMW X5, and the two climbed inside.

— joshua hammer, GQ, "The Avalanche that Ate an Italian Hotel," 26 July 2017
Or will Holgate's composure, steely determination and potential be enough to win him the role?

— SI.com, "Koeman's Conundrum! Assessing the 4 Alternatives Everton Have to Seamus Coleman at Right-Back," 20 July 2017
Even after that meeting, people approached us and thanked us for maintaining our composure.

— aimee levitt, Chicago Reader, "Books / News / Politics Buena Park to Haymarket Books: We don’t want you here," 17 July 2017
Players are allowed up to 10 fouls during the summer league, but Pelicans coach Jamelle McMillan pulled Diallo from the game earlier than usual so the young forward could regain his composure.

— william guillory, NOLA.com, "Cheick Diallo scores 23, other observations from the Pelicans' second summer league game," 9 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'composure.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of composure

see compose

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1647

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composure Synonyms

Synonyms

aplomb, calmness, collectedness, composedness, equanimity, cool, coolness, countenance, equilibrium, imperturbability, placidity, repose, sangfroid, self-composedness, self-possession, serenity, tranquillity (or tranquility), tranquilness

Antonyms

agitation, discomposure, perturbation

Related Words

assurance, confidence, poise, self-assurance, self-assuredness, self-confidence, self-trust; easygoingness, laid-backness; apathy, detachment, impassivity, indifference, insensibility, numbness, phlegm, unconcern

Near Antonyms

alarm (also alarum), anxiety, anxiousness, apprehension, apprehensiveness, care, concern, disquiet, solicitude, uneasiness, worry; excitability, excitableness, nervousness; disturbance

Synonym Discussion of 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

COMPOSURE Defined for English Language Learners

composure

play

noun

Definition of composure for English Language Learners

: calmness especially of mind, manner, or appearance

COMPOSURE Defined for Kids

composure

play

noun com·po·sure \ kəm-ˈpō-zhər \

Definition of composure for Students

:calmness especially of mind, manner, or appearance

Throughout the crisis he managed to maintain his composure.

Learn More about composure

See words that rhyme with composure Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for composure Spanish Central: Translation of composure Nglish: Translation of composure for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of composure for Arabic speakers

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composure Synonyms

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Synonym Discussion of composure

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