compose

verb

kəm-ˈpōz How to pronounce compose (audio)
Definition of composenext
1
as in to prepare
to put (something) into proper and usually carefully worked out written form composed a statement on this hot-button issue that managed to satisfy absolutely no one

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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

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3
as in to calm
to free from distress or disturbance the first order of business was to compose the injured pedestrian

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to contain
to gain emotional or mental control of she took a deep breath and composed herself

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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 parties, composed mainly of Palestinian Muslims and Christians, made a historic showing at the polls in Tuesday’s election. — Julia Frankel, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026 Up Oscar winner Michael Giacchino, who also worked on Ratatouille, Inside Out, Coco, Klara and the Sun and many others, has composed the original score based on McCartney themes. — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2026 Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors — along with special consideration from dermatologists. — Sheryl George, Allure, 26 Oct. 2026 The song, which soundtracks the entirety of the game’s launch trailer (unlike other previews that used several songs), arrived alongside the news that Justice will compose the game’s score. — Xander Zellner, Billboard, 26 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compose
Recent Examples of Synonyms for compose
  1. prepare
  2. comprise
  3. calm
  4. contain
  5. write
  6. constitute
  7. soothe
  8. draft
Verb
  • In crowded Chaweng Beach, this 26-room hotel’s high style attracts a stream of beachcombers (prepare to show your key to the hotel gatekeeper).
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The United States has starting making arrangements to prepare its key bases to operate for at least 3 months without outside support.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of prepare
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the front braking setup comprises a pair of 300-mm steel discs, each working with a caliper equipped with 27-mm pistons.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The manuscript comprises the Bible (Old and New Testaments) and an assortment of other ancient historical, scholarly, and religious writings.
    — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of comprise
Verb
  • After police cordoned off an area in the city center, the situation calmed down by early Sunday morning.
    — Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Amenities and experiences For those who want a relaxing break in between national park hikes and Colorado River rafting, head to the on-site massage cave for a calming treatment.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of calm
Verb
  • In a rebus crossword, certain squares contain more than one letter.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 5 Nov. 2026
  • To demonstrate practical potential, the team built a larger pouch-cell prototype containing 150 mg of iodine.
    — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of contain
Verb
  • Khalilzad on Friday wrote on X that there had been reports of Pakistan arming Afghans to fight the Taliban inside Afghanistan and of the Pakistani military recruiting Afghans to fight anti-Pakistan insurgents.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Inspiring others In 1981, Runner’s World magazine published an article that Godby wrote about his 1978 run.
    — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of write
Verb
  • There also may be limits to what constitutes a covered cancellation, delay, or interruption.
    — Aly J Yale, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The ordinance also authorizes administrative fines of up to $1,000 for each violation and provides that each catalytic converter unlawfully possessed may constitute a separate misdemeanor charge.
    — Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of constitute
Verb
  • The decor hits just the right amount of nautical; soothing blues and greens abound, as do a mix of textures and prints that feel right at home in the New England setting.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Oct. 2026
  • Advertisement Calm the scary feeling When fright takes hold, breathing techniques like 4-7-8 breathing or box breathing can soothe your nervous system.
    — Juli Fraga, Time, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of soothe
Verb
  • Reducing the human bottleneck in AI automation DeepSeek argues that the growing capabilities of AI models have enabled agents to automate tasks ranging from managing calendars and drafting emails to preparing reports and writing software.
    — Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
  • On her watch, 23 UCLA players have been drafted by WNBA teams.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of draft

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Cite this Entry

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

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