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 His team’s pace was composed and never rushed. Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 19 May 2026 It’s attributed to a cowherd named Caedmon, who is thought to have composed the poem in a burst of inspiration following a religious dream. Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 18 May 2026 The measure established the MBCOC, composed of community members. Phan Khang, Mercury News, 18 May 2026 The film’s subtle yet propulsive score was the work of Oscar-winning composer David Shire, who two years earlier had composed the score for Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for compose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compose
Verb
  • Bodies of those who died of Ebola can be highly contagious and lead to further spread when people prepare them for burial and gather for funerals.
    Jean-Yves Kamale, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2026
  • Choose meals that are easy to prepare and let your kids help cook.
    Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Space comprises the rocket lineup that the company manufactures in-house, and deploys to launch its own satellites.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 23 May 2026
  • Significantly, Brooklyn voters comprise about 60% of the district’s electorate, another potent edge for Lander, who has deep roots in the neighborhood.
    Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • That drone morphs into a sea shanty–like melody, as if the clouds have parted and the waters calmed, giving you a stable place to stand after having to constantly adjust your footing.
    Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 22 May 2026
  • The zero-proof drink is non-addictive and known for its distinctive tingly, calming effect.
    Kaila Yu, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026
Verb
  • At least one person is dead and nine are unaccounted for after an industrial tank containing some 900,000 gallons of chemicals ruptured at a paper mill in Washington state on May 26, authorities said.
    Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 27 May 2026
  • Her shelves contained books on correct etiquette when entertaining (How to Do It, or, The Lively Art of Entertaining by Elsa Maxwell) and instructional books covering many areas of life, ranging from gardening and raising Siamese cats to keeping turtles.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • Roberto Schmidt | Getty Images Hello, this is Hui Jie writing to you from Singapore.
    Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 26 May 2026
  • Reviews were mixed, writes Alex Ross.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 May 2026
Verb
  • Noted Holocaust historian Omer Bartov, in a New York Times op-ed last year, said the Israeli actions constitute a genocide.
    Samuel S. Flax, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
  • Internet shutdowns constitute a collective punishment, negatively impacting not only political opponents and protest groups but society as a whole.
    Natasha Lindstaedt, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Also at work are soothing honey and chlorella, to keep redness and irritation in check.
    Sarah Felbin, Allure, 20 May 2026
  • Bedazzling is repetitive in the best way—pick up a gem, place a gem, pick up a gem, place a gem—and that rhythm is soothing.
    Angela Haupt, Time, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • Zac Anderson, Francesca Chambers and Kim Hjelmgaard The administration is working with Iranian officials to draft a memorandum of understanding on the peace plan’s principles.
    Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 26 May 2026
  • Hertl, 32, was drafted by the Sharks in 2012 and spent the first 10-plus years of his NHL career in San Jose, moving into sixth place on the team’s all-time scoring list with 484 points in 712 regular-season games.
    Mercury News, Mercury News, 25 May 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compose.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/compose. Accessed 28 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on compose

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster