as in stable
having full use of one's mind and control over one's actions
went to court to prove that her grandmother was no longer compos mentis and needed a legal guardian
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Recent Examples of compos mentis
Second, and more important, while Biden’s voice may be faltering, and some of his sentences rest incomplete, there is little question which candidate is less compos mentis than the other.
—
Jack Rakove, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2024
Too a Real President meeting yesterday largely succeeded in its immediate goal: News coverage showed Trump in the act of president-ing with the air of a man who is, if not a stable genius, at least compos mentis.
—Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, 10 Jan. 2018
Jack Rakove, Chicago Tribune, 18 July 2024
Too a Real President meeting yesterday largely succeeded in its immediate goal: News coverage showed Trump in the act of president-ing with the air of a man who is, if not a stable genius, at least compos mentis.
—Jonathan Chait, Daily Intelligencer, 10 Jan. 2018
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compos mentis
Adjective
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In a time when science’s boundaries were less stable, Lamarck’s poetic theories had significant influence, and its traces can even be detected in contemporary epigenetics.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
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When expectations are clear, support feels more stable and mutual respect grows naturally.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Crabapple is an artist and author known for lucid leftie takes, and her book takes on the thorny history of a vibrant intellectual tradition.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
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Its elegant, rounded boxes for column and row numbers and lucid formula-building bar are wonders to behold.—
Edward Mendelson,
PC Magazine,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Calls to the ships’ operators outside normal working hours either weren’t answered or weren’t immediately returned.—
Julian Lee,
Fortune,
11 Apr. 2026
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Sanoja has primarily played third base this season, with seven of his nine starts coming there, but his last two starts came in center field on Thursday (to give normal starter Jakob Marsee his first day off from the field) and left field on Friday.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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It’s also made with five foam layers that create a balanced feel, starting with a soft, quilted top layer that gives it an instantly cozy finish.—
Toni Sutton,
PEOPLE,
15 Apr. 2026
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In reality, many of these foods are nutrient-packed and can support overall health when eaten as part of a balanced diet.—
Morgan Pearson,
Verywell Health,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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None of this has to be fully rational.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
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Does any of this make any sense in a rational world?—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And kids who learn financial literacy early on are more likely to form healthy relationships with money that can help improve their financial and overall well-being as adults, according to a 2022 study by researchers at Brigham Young University.—
Tom Huddleston Jr.,
CNBC,
11 Apr. 2026
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Dandelion seeds easily take hold in bare spots, so keep your lawn thick and healthy.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Compos mentis.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compos%20mentis. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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