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

Linney’s character is a frontier trader who works the territory alone, all grit and composure, and the one person the aging outlaw has allowed close in years. — Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2026

The intelligence, poise and composure Raphinha brings to this role is different to what Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres previously offered and what Alvarez may have brought. — Laia Cervelló Herrero, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

The composure of Amélie, and the decidedly wild and clownish manner in which she’s painted, can’t be tamed into order, elegance, or beauty. — Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026

The cast will put their charisma, creativity and composure to the test in a series of challenges, led and judged by PEOPLE’s editor-in-chief and general manager Charlotte Triggs and editor-at-large Janine Rubenstein. — Lindsay Kimble, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 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