composed 1 of 2

Definition of composednext

composed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of compose
1
2
as in comprised
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 contained
to gain emotional or mental control of she took a deep breath and composed herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word composed different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of composed are collected, cool, imperturbable, nonchalant, and unruffled. While all these words mean "free from agitation or excitement," composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

Where would collected be a reasonable alternative to composed?

Although the words collected and composed have much in common, collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

When might cool be a better fit than composed?

While the synonyms cool and composed are close in meaning, cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

In what contexts can imperturbable take the place of composed?

The words imperturbable and composed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

When can nonchalant be used instead of composed?

The meanings of nonchalant and composed largely overlap; however, nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

When is unruffled a more appropriate choice than composed?

In some situations, the words unruffled and composed are roughly equivalent. However, unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

How is the word composed different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of composed are collected, cool, imperturbable, nonchalant, and unruffled. While all these words mean "free from agitation or excitement," composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

Where would collected be a reasonable alternative to composed?

Although the words collected and composed have much in common, collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

When might cool be a better fit than composed?

While the synonyms cool and composed are close in meaning, cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

In what contexts can imperturbable take the place of composed?

The words imperturbable and composed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

When can nonchalant be used instead of composed?

The meanings of nonchalant and composed largely overlap; however, nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

When is unruffled a more appropriate choice than composed?

In some situations, the words unruffled and composed are roughly equivalent. However, unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

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 composed
Adjective
But Peggy never forgot her roots; a genre-blending selector with range, she’s known for her energetic but composed sets. Kelly Washington, Refinery29, 22 Dec. 2025 Only on particularly bumpy tarmac did the GTS-spec suspension become too jarring with the adaptive dampers stiffened up in sport mode, but switching them to normal offered the best of both worlds—excellent, composed body control and tuning that ironed out imperfections remarkably well. Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
Gerber stepped out for Vanity Fair's Vanities party yesterday evening in a Givenchy number composed of romantic sheer black lace that freed the nipple and bared her black underwear beneath. Christina Perrier, InStyle, 12 Mar. 2026 Bruce Beach, Guinea-Bissau The Bijagós archipelago, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve located off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, is composed of 88 islands, but only about 20 are permanently inhabited. Melanie Van Zyl, Travel + Leisure, 6 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for composed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composed
Adjective
  • The robot will vacuum oil from the water’s surface, return to its base station to discharge the collected oil, and then redeploy to the spill site.
    Ben Coxworth March 10, New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The collected data is then analyzed by an outside statistician before the report is issued.
    Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The drone attack killed nine people, including three children, and injured at least eight others as the leader of the Simon Pele gang prepared to distribute gifts to children in the area.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 11 Mar. 2026
  • While the properly prepared, boiled three times, tender spring leaves of this plant are the main ingredient in poke sallet, a fixture of Southern cuisine, the plant is truly toxic.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 10 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The current Pentagon press corps is comprised mostly of conservative outlets that agreed to the policy.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The Justice Department initially said that its release, made in response to a law passed by Congress compelling the agency to disclose nearly all files related to Epstein, comprised more than 3 million pages.
    Elliott Ramos, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Young calmed himself enough to live up to the lofty billing.
    Josh Robbins, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • Trump’s assurance of safe passage of tankers in the Strait of Hormuz calmed market jitters initially, though shares in Dubai and Abu Dhabi opened sharply down after markets resumed trading for the first time since the war began.
    Alaa Shahine Salha, semafor.com, 4 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • The oldest ice contained in Weißseespitze dates back roughly 6,000 years to the mid-Holocene, a warm period following the close of the last global ice age.
    Nidhi Sharma, Popular Science, 13 Mar. 2026
  • The object, which also contained nuts and bolts, extinguished itself without harming anyone.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This remote Northland beach on the scenic Karikari Peninsula has clear, calm waters and soft white sand.
    Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The Drawing Room extends into a calm outdoor courtyard fenced off by French doors and covered by a canopy of latticed vines.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • But Rushing was drafted by the Dodgers in 2022 and his career path is blocked by one of the best catchers in baseball, Will Smith, a fact cemented by the 10-year contract extension signed by Smith in March 2024.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Adebayo, who was drafted by the Heat with 14th overall pick in 2017, is known for his elite ability on the defensive end.
    Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • When Scott Wiener, a progressive Democratic San Francisco state senator running for Nancy Pelosi’s congressional seat, was first asked whether Israel’s actions in Gaza constituted genocide, Wiener declined to answer.
    Jacki Karsh, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Jurors were asked to decide in several instances whether conduct constituted a felony or misdemeanor.
    Robert Salonga, Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Composed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composed. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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