as in calm
free from emotional or mental agitation
a supremely self-possessed teacher who could handle any crisis
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Recent Examples of self-possessed
In person, Rowbottom is striking — tall, platinum blond, soft-spoken — though less imposing than carefully self-possessed.
—
Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
As Alexis, Collins was magnetic: powerful, seductive, and ruthlessly self-possessed.
—Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026
Conversely, maybe the fact that their songs, while impressively self-possessed, weren’t directly confrontational has kept them from being counted as forebears to the feminist punks who would come after.
—Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 3 May 2026
With the exception of the barky ottoman, the dogs all struck me as quite self-possessed.
—Rachel Sugar, Curbed, 8 Apr. 2026
Early on, Hamilton is self-possessed, her carriage underscoring her as an arbiter of social good, the gracious hostess.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 2 Feb. 2026
The version of you that steps forward now feels more self-possessed, radiant, and rooted.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 21 Sep. 2025
Even for someone used to covering for her daughter’s wrongdoings, Tracey is remarkably self-possessed as Laura pries mercilessly into her life and accuses Cherry of every crime under the sun.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Relaxed yet intentional, refined yet understated, self-possessed and naturally shareable.
—Advertorial, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Mariella Rudi, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2026
As Alexis, Collins was magnetic: powerful, seductive, and ruthlessly self-possessed.
—Michelle Duncan, Architectural Digest, 8 May 2026
Conversely, maybe the fact that their songs, while impressively self-possessed, weren’t directly confrontational has kept them from being counted as forebears to the feminist punks who would come after.
—Marissa Lorusso, Pitchfork, 3 May 2026
With the exception of the barky ottoman, the dogs all struck me as quite self-possessed.
—Rachel Sugar, Curbed, 8 Apr. 2026
Early on, Hamilton is self-possessed, her carriage underscoring her as an arbiter of social good, the gracious hostess.
—Christopher Smith, Oc Register, 2 Feb. 2026
The version of you that steps forward now feels more self-possessed, radiant, and rooted.
—Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 21 Sep. 2025
Even for someone used to covering for her daughter’s wrongdoings, Tracey is remarkably self-possessed as Laura pries mercilessly into her life and accuses Cherry of every crime under the sun.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Relaxed yet intentional, refined yet understated, self-possessed and naturally shareable.
—Advertorial, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-possessed
Adjective
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To alleviate some of the security concerns in metropolitan areas and calm citizens' fears, the United States housed prisoners in military installations and federal facilities throughout the South and Southwest.—
Helaine Williams,
Arkansas Online,
20 June 2026
-
Clark seized on a more gentle course — slightly calmer and still soft with receptive greens — by pulling away late to reach six-under-par through 16 holes.—
Assistant Sports Editor,
Los Angeles Times,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
With its serene turquoise waters, emerald rivers and lush rainforests, the region has unsurprisingly become an epicenter of wellness tourism.—
Sandra Guzmán,
USA Today,
18 June 2026
-
The better thing to do is spend a day relaxing on the serene shoreline, then come back the following day to discover everything else the park has to offer.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
17 June 2026
Adjective
-
By Sunday afternoon, the park was peaceful, with some residents setting up a Father's Day lunch while men nearby were playing cards.—
Kristie Keleshian,
CBS News,
21 June 2026
-
The view is extraordinary, but the experience is far from peaceful in peak season.—
David Nikel,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Adjective
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While uniform cubes are suited for an elegant, composed presentation, torn croutons are a humble upgrade for nearly everything else where a little contrast is welcome.—
Anne Wolf,
Martha Stewart,
18 June 2026
-
In contrast, composed framing of his loyal squire, Egg (Dexter Sol Ansell), underlines a different emotion.—
Daron James,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
That changed in 2018, when the Council passed Helen Rosenthal’s bill encouraging New Yorkers to report idling violations by requiring the city to publicize the process and pay them 25% of any collected fines for their efforts.—
Chris Hartmann,
New York Daily News,
16 June 2026
-
There is a music room with an upright piano, wind-up gramophone and the collected lyrics of Bob Dylan—a perfect touch for the pop star.—
Ruchira Sharma,
Condé Nast Traveler,
9 June 2026
Adjective
-
But no homes are so possessed with pottery of the truly enormous variety as Jeremiah Brent and Nate Berkus, whose Portuguese farmhouse appears on the cover of our June issue.—
Julia Harrison,
Architectural Digest,
22 May 2026
-
Once Nikki returns to herself, she’s still left with extreme trauma and consequences, given that the possessed version of her murdered two people.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Lucy is very isolated in this superficially tranquil domestic setting, separated from friends, far from her mother, dependent on Philip, and not even entirely fluent in German.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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The Orangery, one of nearly a dozen gardens, provides an exotic and tranquil refuge to recovery from the adrenaline.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-possessed. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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