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
Mejia, who studied piano performance at the Frost School of Music in the ‘90s, calls it a full circle moment to perform his concerto in Miami with the orchestra, which is composed of students in the Frost School. Megan Fitzgerald, Miami Herald, 24 Apr. 2026 The result is a soccer-ball-like shape composed of 20 hexagons and 12 pentagons. Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 24 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for composed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composed
Adjective
  • Start with a high-quality anchor piece, then layer in vintage accents that make the patio feel collected and personal.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • Cambridge Books Chefs prepared fajita bowls for the families on Monday night.
    Nakell Williams, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
  • During warmer months, be prepared for heat and humidity with sunscreen, hats and a reusable water bottle.
    Taylor Haught, Kansas City Star, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Two years later, Beef is coming back for season 2 on April 16; the new season is comprised of an all-new cast and features a fresh, dramatic story.
    Jane LaCroix, PEOPLE, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Capping it all off, literally, is a retractable soft-top roof comprised partially of cashmere.
    Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Brubaker, still perturbed about Wolcott calling time, immediately yelled at Wolcott and had to be calmed down by Susac.
    Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2026
  • McAdoo calmed down, and no one brought it up again.
    Josh Owens, HollywoodReporter, 14 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The scientists found both were composed of a fibrous material that contained many stinging cells called spirocysts, which belong exclusively to the branch of aquatic invertebrates known as cnidarians.
    Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 23 Apr. 2026
  • Firefighters in northern Colorado contained a small wildfire burning near Horsetooth Reservoir west of Fort Collins on Thursday night and lifted evacuation orders east of the reservoir.
    Katie Langford, Denver Post, 23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The feature is set in British Columbia, largely in the span of a summer during the nineteen-nineties, in a calm residential suburb on the ruggedly alluring Vancouver Island.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 12 Apr. 2026
  • This is altered by telehealth, which allows patients to start this delicate procedure in a calm, secure and private setting.
    Lucy Jones April 11, Miami Herald, 11 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • There's nothing wrong with being dedicated fans, sure, but booing a guy your team just drafted is kind of a bad look.
    Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The new coalition government led by populist Prime Minister Andrej Babiš drafted the plan to scrap the fees that individuals, households and businesses pay to access the outlets.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The conduct constituted animal mistreatment, the prosecutor found.
    Quinn Clark, USA Today, 18 Apr. 2026
  • The complaint states that the anticipated participation of Messi constituted a material term of the agreements, forming a central component of the contracts and directly tied to the commercial viability of the matches.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Composed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composed. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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