composed 1 of 2

Definition of composednext

composed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of compose
1
2
as in comprised
to be all the substance of the earth's crust is composed of mostly silicon with several other elements in smaller amounts

Synonyms & Similar Words

3
4
as in contained
to gain emotional or mental control of she took a deep breath and composed herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word composed different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of composed are collected, cool, imperturbable, nonchalant, and unruffled. While all these words mean "free from agitation or excitement," composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

Where would collected be a reasonable alternative to composed?

Although the words collected and composed have much in common, collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

When might cool be a better fit than composed?

While the synonyms cool and composed are close in meaning, cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

In what contexts can imperturbable take the place of composed?

The words imperturbable and composed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

When can nonchalant be used instead of composed?

The meanings of nonchalant and composed largely overlap; however, nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

When is unruffled a more appropriate choice than composed?

In some situations, the words unruffled and composed are roughly equivalent. However, unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

How is the word composed different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of composed are collected, cool, imperturbable, nonchalant, and unruffled. While all these words mean "free from agitation or excitement," composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

Where would collected be a reasonable alternative to composed?

Although the words collected and composed have much in common, collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

When might cool be a better fit than composed?

While the synonyms cool and composed are close in meaning, cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

In what contexts can imperturbable take the place of composed?

The words imperturbable and composed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

When can nonchalant be used instead of composed?

The meanings of nonchalant and composed largely overlap; however, nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

When is unruffled a more appropriate choice than composed?

In some situations, the words unruffled and composed are roughly equivalent. However, unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of composed
Adjective
But Peggy never forgot her roots; a genre-blending selector with range, she’s known for her energetic but composed sets. Kelly Washington, Refinery29, 22 Dec. 2025 Only on particularly bumpy tarmac did the GTS-spec suspension become too jarring with the adaptive dampers stiffened up in sport mode, but switching them to normal offered the best of both worlds—excellent, composed body control and tuning that ironed out imperfections remarkably well. Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Sonically, the track (produced and composed by Gavilan) is a melancholic grassroots folk song accompanied by weeping guitar riffs and a heart-pounding cajón. Tere Aguilera, Billboard, 27 Mar. 2026 The event is the product of work from the Middle School Mental Health Awareness Committee, composed of middle school teachers Riley Pratt and Miranda Katz and counselor Kiara Grant. Noah Lyons, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for composed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composed
Adjective
  • The robot will vacuum oil from the water’s surface, return to its base station to discharge the collected oil, and then redeploy to the spill site.
    Ben Coxworth March 10, New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The collected data is then analyzed by an outside statistician before the report is issued.
    Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Billing records show he was involved with the case soon after, as the firm prepared to bring it to the Supreme Court a second time.
    Edmund H. Mahony, Hartford Courant, 31 Mar. 2026
  • Teams conducted testing, prepared the site, and then deployed the system inside the facility.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The current Pentagon press corps is comprised mostly of conservative outlets that agreed to the policy.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The Justice Department initially said that its release, made in response to a law passed by Congress compelling the agency to disclose nearly all files related to Epstein, comprised more than 3 million pages.
    Elliott Ramos, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The United States ended up the loser, particularly vis-à-vis China, but at least the storms calmed.
    Nicholas D. Kristof, Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2026
  • After undergoing a full-scale revamp last offseason, the waters have calmed on the Texas Rangers' television front.
    R.J. Coyle, Dallas Morning News, 18 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The indoor sports arena idea comes shortly after the commissioners reviewed a tourism master plan that contained ideas for how to increase the county’s visibility as an attractive destination.
    Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
  • At the time, Schuette was found with a smartphone that contained more than 1,200 images of child pornography.
    Jason Green, Mercury News, 26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The beach is flat–just right for soccer or throwing a football–and the water is usually fairly calm and great for taking out a standup paddleboard or a surfboard.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
  • The mix of calm bordeaux and vibrant green makes for interesting styling indeed.
    Jana Ackermann, Glamour, 28 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Wednesday’s trades will allow the Sky to return their four under-contract players — Cardoso, Reese, Van Lith and Westbeld — in addition to Sivka, who was drafted in 2025 and is expected to sign a contract this summer.
    Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2026
  • The Panthers, after all, drafted Xavier Legette in the first round of 2024 and then Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of 2025.
    Alex Zietlow April 2, Charlotte Observer, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • And as of yesterday, such claims constituted a winning argument against social media titans.
    Maggie Harrison Dupré, Futurism, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The judge also blocked Kennedy's 13 appointees from serving on the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), finding the panel unlawfully constituted.
    Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 22 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Composed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composed. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

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