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
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
Mother’s Little Boy (Nick Barrington, humorously self-possessed) is a curious observer of the changes taking place around him.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
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
Yoro came out with top marks in reports, a teenager who looked self-possessed.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
Relaxed yet intentional, refined yet understated, self-possessed and naturally shareable.
—Advertorial, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019
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
Mother’s Little Boy (Nick Barrington, humorously self-possessed) is a curious observer of the changes taking place around him.
—Frank Rizzo, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
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
Yoro came out with top marks in reports, a teenager who looked self-possessed.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 13 Aug. 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
-
Stay calm and adjust without losing your place.—
Tarot.com,
Hartford Courant,
3 May 2026
-
Carly is cool, calm, controlled, and precise.—
Olivia Kan-Sperling,
Artforum,
2 May 2026
Adjective
-
Located in the foothills of Uttarakhand above the pilgrimage town of Rishikesh, Ananda is a serene 100-acre oasis on the former estate of the Maharaja of Tehri-Garhwal.—
Betsy Andrews,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Apr. 2026
-
The clip sees the pair sitting across from each other at a cement table setting in a garden with a serene view backed by a mountainscape, greenery and blue skies.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Located in the Tuscan countryside 30 minutes from Florence, the property offers plenty of space and a peaceful escape with easy access to a wealth of museums, galleries, restaurants, and boutiques.—
Jessica Puckett,
Boston Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
-
Others talk about a kind of quiet that does not feel peaceful.—
Ana Jarzin,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
McIlroy overcame some early inconsistency to put together a composed round, while Burns leaned on excellent ball-striking to match him at the top.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Before Tuesday night, Konate had looked much more composed and commanding.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
This style appeals for its timeless charm and ability to feel collected and lived-in over time.—
Tessa Cooper,
The Spruce,
27 Apr. 2026
-
For one, Palestine by Joe Sacco, which found its way onto academic syllabi before gaining steam as a collected volume of graphic reporting.—
Kat Chen,
Condé Nast Traveler,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the Village Voice, where the Consumer Guide became one of the fabled alt-weekly’s go-to features from the ’70s through the ’90s, Christgau wrote like a possessed fan who breathed insight, making every capsule sound like a psychedelic sonnet.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
29 Mar. 2026
-
David Dastmalchian stars as Jack Delroy, an opportunistic host who invites a possessed girl and a child psychologist as his guests for the night in a desperate bid for ratings.—
Kevin Jacobsen,
Entertainment Weekly,
25 Dec. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Turning onto shady Little Road felt instantly tranquil.—
Christopher Spata,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-possessed. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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