Synonym Chooser

How does the noun composure contrast with its synonyms?

The words equanimity and sangfroid are common synonyms of composure. While all three words mean "evenness of mind under stress," 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

When is equanimity a more appropriate choice than composure?

Although the words equanimity and composure have much in common, equanimity suggests a habit of mind that is only rarely disturbed under great strain.

accepted her troubles with equanimity

Where would sangfroid be a reasonable alternative to composure?

While in some cases nearly identical to composure, sangfroid implies great coolness and steadiness under strain.

handled the situation with professional sangfroid

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 composure Expect the Wildcats to feature a strong running game behind Watkins and their reliable offensive line, while maintaining composure offensively and defensively. Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Sep. 2025 For an actress long defined by her composure, A Private Life is something else entirely — a discovery, en Français, of her own vulnerability. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025 Horton showed his composure by not getting rattled when runners reached base, six on hits and two via a walk, knowing how quickly games can get away from pitchers in this atmosphere. Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025 At the event, Brooks struggled to avoid conversations where Gleb’s name was brought up but did her best to maintain her composure. Liza Esquibias, People.com, 27 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for composure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composure
Noun
  • Others expressed disbelief at Olla’s calmness while the arachnid crept across her outfit.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
  • For instance, in some cultures, happiness might be perceived as excitement and high energy, while in others it could be seen as calmness and peace of mind.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Yet he’s grown into his role and attained greater serenity, proud of his resilience, consistency and loyalty to the house.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Despite the serenity of the moment, the bird, also known as Greater Yellowlegs in the North and Pitotoy Grande in the South, was hunting.
    Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • The slant to the sun and the coolness when the sun goes down signal that the fall season will indeed arrive.
    Rebecca Jones, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2025
  • What interests me is the conversation between surfaces, glossy against matte, the warmth of wood beside the coolness of stone.
    Kissa Castaneda, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Far from descending into deepening partisan divisions, Taiwan may be moving toward a new political equilibrium.
    PHILIP H. GORDON, Foreign Affairs, 22 Sep. 2025
  • The Equinox brings day and night into equilibrium, and the same medicine applies to your one-on-one connections.
    Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 21 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • In January, at Bondi’s confirmation hearing, the Democratic senator Amy Klobuchar sought assurances that Trump would not be permitted to tamper with criminal cases.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025
  • But that is an ever-quainter assurance.
    David Karpf, The Atlantic, 24 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • So, instead of looking upon the rise of Reform with resolve or equanimity (the Party currently has five members of Parliament, less than one per cent of the total), everyone is losing their mind.
    Sam Knight, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
  • But on the whole, empathy has overtaken equanimity as the model for physician-patient relations.
    Rachel Pearson, Harpers Magazine, 19 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Composure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composure. Accessed 28 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on composure

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!