Definition of composenext
1
2
as in to comprise
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 to contain
to gain emotional or mental control of she took a deep breath and composed herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 compose The task of winning it all fell to Pete Golding, who had been defensive coordinator under Kiffin, and a staff in flux, composed of some assistants who worked for both Ole Miss and LSU at certain points. Bomani Jones, Vanity Fair, 29 Apr. 2026 In the 1960s, when Mellencamp was coming of age, Jackson County, which includes his hometown Seymour, hovered around thirty-one thousand residents, with about 1 percent of that population composed of Black families. Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026 The coalition — composed of transit districts, town municipality groups and other transportation advocates — reported that without the state funding, more than 10,000 riders across 15 microtransit zones face the threat of service eliminations and have to seek other transportation alternatives. Sara Bedigian, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2026 This year, Jump Source, the duo composed of two of Montreal’s finest producers, Francis Latreille (aka Priori) and Patrick Holland (aka Project Pablo), are vying for the crown with their stellar debut album, Fold. Reid Bg, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compose
Verb
  • Alegría credited the pair’s experienced producing partners with helping guide them through the most unfamiliar process of preparing for the final cut and getting ready for the marketing, press, distribution conversations with Amazon as well as FilmNation.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 May 2026
  • This did not prepare me for Salt Tree.
    Anna Wiener, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
Verb
  • The Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians, which comprises more than two dozen groups indigenous to the Pacific Northwest, had not had an opportunity to harvest meat, blubber, or bones in at least a generation.
    Robin Romm, The Atlantic, 2 May 2026
  • Latino and Hispanic players comprise roughly 30% of major league rosters.
    Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • Photographer Fabrice Coffrini took a calming photo of the near-full moon shining to the right of a silhouetted tree, as dusk gave way to night in the sky over Lucens in western Switzerland on April 30.
    Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 May 2026
  • Neighbors argue the speed change is not enough and should be lowered more or paired with traffic calming measures.
    Addison Wright, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Still, even as the memes become borderline unintelligible, Kirkslop contains an air of transgression that imbues the otherwise inane edits and images with perverse political undercurrents.
    Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The group contains multiple doctors and lawyers.
    R. Eric Thomas, Washington Post, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The court's response to the emergency request was unsigned, but in a concurrence, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that Louisiana should not have to use a map found to be unconstitutional.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 5 May 2026
  • Arellano was recognized for opinion writing for his columns illuminating the fear and devastation of local immigrants during last summer’s ICE raids.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026
Verb
  • An arrest does not constitute a finding of guilt.
    Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 1 May 2026
  • James Comey was indicted on two felony counts Tuesday, on charges that his Instagram post of seashells arranged as the numbers 8647 constituted a threat on the president.
    Pilar Melendez, NBC news, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • Diaper rash cream, chocolate brown baby booties and throat-soothing lollipops littered the hotel bed.
    Madeline Mitchell, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
  • There’s truly nothing better than the scent of fresh laundry and soothing lavender!
    Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 29 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • On June 11, 1776, the Continental Congress appointed Jefferson to serve on a committee charged with drafting a statement declaring independence, along with John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and Robert Livingston of New York.
    Jill Lepore, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • The city attorney has the obligation to draft ordinances to reflect the intent of Council and also has the independent obligation to flag risk and refuse to rubber-stamp actions that are unconstitutional or violate the charter/applicable law.
    Teresa Liu, Daily News, 4 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Compose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compose. Accessed 6 May. 2026.

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