1
as in preparing
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in comprising
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
as in soothing
to free from distress or disturbance
the first order of business was to compose the injured pedestrian
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in containing
to gain emotional or mental control of
she took a deep breath and composed herself
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 composing
And why in the world would anyone composing after the Second World War reëmbrace the long-irrelevant late-Romantic idiom of Puccini and Strauss, with its lush harmonies, rich orchestration, and powerful melodies?
—
Russell Platt, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
The film is produced by Stephen Endelman, who is also composing; Dan Grodnik; Louise Chater and Jeff Wallner of Harbor Lights Entertainment and Icarus Entertainment Fund; with casting by Shakyra Dowling.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 May 2026
For me, composing is an instinctive, intuitive thing.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Brothers Daniel and Adrián Aguirre love nothing more than making music together, composing melodies and writing powerful lyrics.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
The songs are by composing legend Mike Stoller, now 93, and a master tunesmith during the era in which much of the story spans.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
The track has been newly mixed and mastered and features Prince producing, arranging, composing and performing all instrumentation.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Seeing something on the moon, describing it, and composing a photograph from a very close distance is a different experience from viewing something from afar, or even seeing a close-up captured by a robotic camera.
—Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The cassette was also a form of personal expression for music fans, too, where planning and composing a perfect mix tape – 45 minutes each side if possible – and drawing cover art was a time-consuming but rewarding pursuit.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
Russell Platt, New Yorker, 20 May 2026
The film is produced by Stephen Endelman, who is also composing; Dan Grodnik; Louise Chater and Jeff Wallner of Harbor Lights Entertainment and Icarus Entertainment Fund; with casting by Shakyra Dowling.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 16 May 2026
For me, composing is an instinctive, intuitive thing.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 15 May 2026
Brothers Daniel and Adrián Aguirre love nothing more than making music together, composing melodies and writing powerful lyrics.
—Literary Hub, 1 May 2026
The songs are by composing legend Mike Stoller, now 93, and a master tunesmith during the era in which much of the story spans.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 23 Apr. 2026
The track has been newly mixed and mastered and features Prince producing, arranging, composing and performing all instrumentation.
—Wcco Staff, CBS News, 21 Apr. 2026
Seeing something on the moon, describing it, and composing a photograph from a very close distance is a different experience from viewing something from afar, or even seeing a close-up captured by a robotic camera.
—Rebecca Boyle, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026
The cassette was also a form of personal expression for music fans, too, where planning and composing a perfect mix tape – 45 minutes each side if possible – and drawing cover art was a time-consuming but rewarding pursuit.
—New Atlas, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composing
Verb
-
The family had been preparing to celebrate his centennial on June 10.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 June 2026
-
Auditability is not optional, especially for any company subject to SOX or preparing for an IPO.—
Mike Whitmire,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
The Brecon, originally built in 1914 and now comprising 18 rooms and four suites, parallels Singer’s approach to artistically blending past and present.—
Viju Mathew,
Robb Report,
1 June 2026
-
Students and young filmmakers pitched before a fiction jury comprising Pedro Andrade of Lab Barcelona, Manuel Lacasa of Abycine Lanza and Filmin programmer Elody Mellado.—
Callum McLennan,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Verb
-
Mothers with babies on their backs set down their heavy baskets for a bit, soothing their children with soft words in Potawatomi.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
-
This 3‑in‑1 steam grooming brush gently removes loose fur, dirt and dander while releasing a warm, soothing steam to help keep coats clean and shiny.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
25 May 2026
Verb
-
To give your skin an extra hydration boost, layer on a gentle serum containing Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid first.—
Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal,
Parents,
28 May 2026
-
The firefighting foam containing PFAS was effective against fuel fires.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Officials at the Air Resources Board then spent the last several months drafting and revising the plan voted on this week, which received considerable feedback from oil and gas companies, environmental groups, lobbyists and lawmakers all jockeying for different priorities.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 May 2026
-
Meanwhile, Pierson recessed proceedings to begin drafting an order to vacate the original injunction and add Imhoff as a party to the hearing on whether Penman should be restored to the office he was forced from in January 2025.—
Bryan P. Sears,
Baltimore Sun,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
This time of year pollen can frequently be seen blowing through the air and forming clumps on the ground, as trees shed pollen as part of the reproductive process.—
Stephen Underwood,
Hartford Courant,
29 May 2026
-
Flash freezing also prevents those pesky ice crystals from forming and turning your berries into flavorless ice cubes.—
Kimberly Holland,
Southern Living,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Its woody, salty, and sea-watery notes are as calming as the sound of ocean waves crashing ashore, but give the wearer a still-water type of serenity.—
Adam Hurly,
Robb Report,
27 May 2026
-
Brands combine botanicals, adaptogens and nootropics for both flavor complexity and functional depth — pairing something calming with something focusing, or something earthy with something bright.—
Lauren Schuster,
Miami Herald,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
This includes my place not only as a writer—who like my grandfather had, is writing books, teaching college, and engaged in psychoanalytic thought—but also as a someone who has similarly dedicated her life to the pursuit of learning, understanding, and expression through language.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
-
His strength is writing policy, not executing it.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
31 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Composing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composing. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
