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
More aggressive than the Tide, more physical, more composed and clearly better prepared, the Hoosiers showed zero rust after a month-long break after the Big Ten championship game. Paul Myerberg, USA Today, 2 Jan. 2026 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
Verb
Nominees will be determined by industry committees composed of filmmakers, critics, past Media Access Awards honorees, and representatives from industry guilds and nonprofit organizations. Arushi Jacob, Variety, 28 May 2026 Benjamin began the bee Tuesday by correctly spelling micellar, an adjective that describes anything relating to or composed of micelles, which are tiny, self-assembling, spherical clusters of molecules. City News Service, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for composed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composed
Adjective
  • The suit, filed Friday on behalf of lead plaintiff Summer Christine Duffield, alleges that the company does not adequately disclose its use of the technology and is not transparent about how the collected data will be used.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 20 May 2026
  • They are obligated to buy the underlying stock at that put's strike price in exchange for the collected premium.
    Oliver Renick, CNBC, 19 May 2026
Verb
  • And in-room, a Thuoc Nam (traditional Southern Vietnamese herbal medicine) herbal bath or sleep tea prepared from folk remedies to finish the night off.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026
  • As Sacramento prepared for Election Day, voters had already begun Monday to return ballots at early voting and vote-by-mail ballot drop-off locations, such as the California Museum in downtown Sacramento.
    Velvet Wu June 1, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
Verb
  • The group is comprised of representatives from more than 85 organizations.
    Pioneer Press, Twin Cities, 7 June 2026
  • The impact with Bell’s Camry severely deformed the SAFER barrier, which is comprised of steel and foam to absorb energy in wrecks.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 June 2026
Verb
  • Finding the police at our place, then, wasn’t really a surprise, and my pulse returned to its usual rhythm, oddly calmed by the fact that the dread had finally left my heart.
    Andrea Bajani, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
  • Investors took the dilution, estimated at 1% to 3% depending on the final terms of convertible preferred stock, in stride, presumably calmed by the presence of Berkshire Hathaway as anchor investor.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 4 June 2026
Verb
  • Even inside the courtroom, where cameras were not allowed, enthusiasm for Jackson’s music could not be contained.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026
  • That sense of exclusivity carries over to the rest of the public areas, and the fireplace lounge, which is as popular with guests as with locals, feels contained but not walled off.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026
Adjective
  • If caught in a rip current, remain calm.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 7 June 2026
  • Choose clear words to build calm, trust, and workable agreements.
    Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • That rule bars provisions in bills that are deemed to be extraneous to federal spending or outside the jurisdiction of the committees that drafted them.
    Luke Fountain, CNBC, 3 June 2026
  • Ahead of the 2024 election, the group drafted a memo asking whomever the incoming president was to mobilize federal agencies and welcoming presidential involvement in events and initiatives.
    ABC News, ABC News, 3 June 2026
Verb
  • The administration argued that the fee constituted a monetary penalty that the president had lawful authority to impose under federal immigration ​law to restrict ​the entry of ⁠certain foreign nationals.
    Reuters, NBC news, 8 June 2026
  • Judge Leo Sorokin in Boston issued the ruling Monday, June 8, in a lawsuit filed by nearly two dozen Democratic state attorneys general, finding the fee constituted an unlawful tax Congress never authorized.
    Natalie Neysa Alund, USA Today, 8 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Composed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composed. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.

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