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

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
John and Alice Coltrane lived, composed, recorded, and pursued spiritual study during a period of profound artistic transformation during their time in the New York home, and Coltrane came of age as a creative innovator within the local music community while living in the Philadelphia House. Jem Aswad, Variety, 19 Feb. 2026 His presence is so recessive that the resulting footage, however cannily composed, looks, for the most part, like it was made by an unattended surveillance camera. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for composed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composed
Adjective
  • These over collected taxes are then directed to corporate welfare schemes the most egregious is Hollywood subsidies.
    Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
  • To address this, the Statista R research team employed triangulation, combining secondary data from global sources and national datasets with primary data from university reports and data submissions to verify collected information.
    TIME Staff, Time, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Prioritize your safety by staying informed and prepared.
    Southern California Weather Report, Daily News, 18 Feb. 2026
  • Residents were prepared with Ziploc bags full of change, and the runners would give Mardi Gras beads in return for money.
    Carlie Procell, USA Today, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The doc was made over six years and comprised footage shot by Nico Ballesteros, to whom Ye gave seemingly complete access, letting the young stranger film him for more than half a decade.
    Anna Peele, Vanity Fair, 6 Feb. 2026
  • Signings aged between 25 and 28, generally considered a player’s peak years, comprised a third of spending this season, their highest share since 2018-19.
    James McNicholas, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The former London Film Festival head was seen as having successfully calmed the waters, through mediation and discussion behind the scenes, as well as a carefully thought through set of guidelines on the festival’s position on freedom of expression, antisemitism and support for Palestinians.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 16 Feb. 2026
  • But the rain calmed concerns that the state was heading into a severe dry spell, washed the soot and grit out of the air, and boosted conditions at Lake Tahoe area ski resorts.
    Paul Rogers, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • After his death, Bogut and her family found out that the drugs Patryk had used before his death contained a lethal dose of fentanyl.
    Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
  • The fire is over 280,000 acres and only 15% contained, according to Watch Duty, a wildfire tracking app.
    Julia James, Dallas Morning News, 19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • Amid its evolution into a shopping and dining powerhouse, the neighborhood long craved a calm refuge.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Feb. 2026
  • July 23 – August 22 A calm focus fuels your ambition more than chaotic passion.
    Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • On the men’s side, Zuccarello takes pride in his country’s 19-year streak of appearing at the World Championships, and two Norwegians — Brandsegg-Nygård (Detroit) and Stian Solberg (Anaheim) — were drafted in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
    Peter Baugh, New York Times, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Since then, legislation has been drafted several times to codify the requirement in state law, but the idea has yet to win the approval of state lawmakers.
    Clark Kauffman, Iowa Capital Dispatch, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Even the topical songs of the sixties folk movement constituted a revival, a reinvention of the Popular Front-style political art of the thirties and forties, for the waning years of McCarthyism.
    Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
  • None of which should be constituted as a failure.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Composed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composed. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.

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