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
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
Why, Fredriksen has asked, would writers of the mid-second century, composing pseudonymous letters in the voice of a first-century figure, include statements predicting Christ’s imminent return?
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 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
Badauni served at Akbar’s court while composing a work deeply hostile to his patron; the text could only be privately circulated to a limited audience during Akbar’s lifetime and remained suppressed until after Jahangir’s accession in 1605.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Ciani’s method with the Buchla is a way of taming electrical currents and shaping them into pathways, rather than composing music traditionally.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
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
Why, Fredriksen has asked, would writers of the mid-second century, composing pseudonymous letters in the voice of a first-century figure, include statements predicting Christ’s imminent return?
—Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 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
Badauni served at Akbar’s court while composing a work deeply hostile to his patron; the text could only be privately circulated to a limited audience during Akbar’s lifetime and remained suppressed until after Jahangir’s accession in 1605.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
Ciani’s method with the Buchla is a way of taming electrical currents and shaping them into pathways, rather than composing music traditionally.
—Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 9 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composing
Verb
-
Beyond the longstanding economic embargo and an oil blockade that has pushed the island’s energy crisis to its limits, the United States is preparing an indictment against former President Raúl Castro, according to sources.—
Gonzalo Zegarra,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
All rights reserved SpaceX is preparing for the next major test of its Starship launch system, with liftoff targeted for Tuesday evening from the company’s Starbase facility in South Texas.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
The bacterium started by producing an enzyme to break the polymer chain comprising the material into pieces.—
Elizabeth MacBride,
CNBC,
19 May 2026
-
On May 5, Young posted on Neil Young Archives that the band had finished its second album, Second Song, comprising five new songs and two unheard ones from 1964.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
It can be used as a nightlight, glows in seven colors and features a selection of soothing soundscapes.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
8 May 2026
-
Choose artwork for the walls with soothing landscapes, or use natural materials like wooden picture frames, cotton throws, or a simple houseplant.—
Michelle Mastro,
The Spruce,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
Boxes from the White House, some containing classified material, had been found crammed into a bathroom at Mar-a-Lago, next to a toilet and below a crystal chandelier.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
Planters containing other trees and perennials, including hazel, hawthorn, field maples, ferns, and grasses, will continue the forest theme through the colonnade to the main entrance.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Its drafting features combine deterministic drafting with AI to enable complex and accurate drafting at scale.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2026
-
When drafting a dispute letter, include your name, address, the date, and the debt collector’s information.—
Miranda Marquit,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Bell also received a second stent and was put on blood thinners to reduce the risk of another clot forming.—
Kerry Breen,
CBS News,
16 May 2026
-
Under blue light, the microorganisms cluster together and migrate toward the liquid-air interface, forming dense swarms.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
15 May 2026
Verb
-
The terrace, with its spacious dining table, is the clear centerpiece of the apartment; though inside, a commitment to minimalism creates a calming atmosphere.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
14 May 2026
-
Designed with plush ComfyFleece fabric and supportive memory foam, this dog bed gently cushions joints while the wraparound bolster sides create a secure, calming space for rest and relaxation.—
Kasey Caminiti,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Subscribe today Hello, this is Leonie Kidd writing to you from London.—
Leonie Kidd,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
-
Few writers were as enthusiastic about robot writing as Italo Calvino.—
Jill Lepore,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Composing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composing. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
