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
And if ‘Robot & Frank’ director Jake Schreier’s Marvel debut is among the best and most self-possessed of these movies since Thanos snapped the mega-franchise half, its pleasures still feel like faint echoes of the series’ previous highs.
—
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 May 2025
His early writing—often brilliant and, given his youth, boldly self-possessed, sometimes to a fault—is driven by certainty.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Authentic Storytelling Without Compromise In discussing her role as a Brighton Beach stripper who spontaneously marries a rich, young Russian client yet remains self-possessed, Madison shared that her uncompromising authenticity got her the part.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Up until this episode, George’s public and private selves have been equally self-possessed.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
In retrospect, consent was likely a smoke screen for the brasher provocation of depicting unhoused men as nude, occasionally aroused, and self-possessed.
—Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
The most notable are her women: self-possessed and in casual repose, unidealized and unbothered by being beheld.
—Emily Labarge, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Moore, even in her 90s, is quite the babbling brook — twinkly and self-possessed, a calm pathological narcissist, the kind of person who spins out her life like a novel, making stories she’s told a million times sound spontaneous.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024
Shipka also makes an impression as a young woman who seems coolly self-possessed until realizations about her choices sink in; her demonstration of the moves required of dancers in the erotic circus is hilarious.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2024
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 May 2025
His early writing—often brilliant and, given his youth, boldly self-possessed, sometimes to a fault—is driven by certainty.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Authentic Storytelling Without Compromise In discussing her role as a Brighton Beach stripper who spontaneously marries a rich, young Russian client yet remains self-possessed, Madison shared that her uncompromising authenticity got her the part.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
Up until this episode, George’s public and private selves have been equally self-possessed.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
In retrospect, consent was likely a smoke screen for the brasher provocation of depicting unhoused men as nude, occasionally aroused, and self-possessed.
—Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
The most notable are her women: self-possessed and in casual repose, unidealized and unbothered by being beheld.
—Emily Labarge, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025
Moore, even in her 90s, is quite the babbling brook — twinkly and self-possessed, a calm pathological narcissist, the kind of person who spins out her life like a novel, making stories she’s told a million times sound spontaneous.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 15 Oct. 2024
Shipka also makes an impression as a young woman who seems coolly self-possessed until realizations about her choices sink in; her demonstration of the moves required of dancers in the erotic circus is hilarious.
—David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-possessed
Adjective
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Three Palestinians in Gaza told Reuters early on Monday afternoon that there had been calm since midday, with no sound of drones or warplanes.—
James Mackenzie,
USA Today,
13 May 2025
-
In an Instagram reel, Chenoa, 26, is seen holding her daughter as the baby gazes upwards with a calm expression.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Waldorf Astoria Orlando Set amid a lush nature preserve and conveniently just minutes from Walt Disney World, Four-Star Waldorf Astoria Orlando offers a serene counterpoint to the region’s theme park frenzy.—
Katie Lara,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
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By the next afternoon, the art crowd had decamped and Hydra returned to its serene summer pace, with other low-key art sites revealing themselves like sculptural rocks at low tide.—
Tony Perrottet,
Travel + Leisure,
13 May 2025
Adjective
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The story will chronicle the events of May 15, 1970, when Mississippi police opened fire outside dormitories at Jackson State College (now Jackson State University), killing two unarmed students and injuring 12 others, during a peaceful protest against racial injustice.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
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Bajwa was more inclined to look for a peaceful resolution with India over Kashmir and other issues.—
Ayesha Jalal,
The Conversation,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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The speech was met with interruptions from hecklers, prompting Kennedy to remain composed and even express gratitude for the lessons learned from such interactions.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Apr. 2025
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The resort’s composed, perfectionist manager who returned to Japan after years in New York’s hospitality industry.—
Martine Paris,
Forbes,
20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Some visitors bring their collected shells, sea glass, and bits of beach fodder.—
Carrie Honaker,
Travel + Leisure,
6 May 2025
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Warhol is one of the most collected artists in the Emirates and the car offered collectors a fresh reframe the icon.—
Grace Banks,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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After taking a couple episodes to establish its premise, there’s a procedural rhythm to Hub’s hunting expeditions, tracking targets from a possessed priest to a Satanic cheerleader.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2025
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Relentlessly silly instead of scary, the horror comedy is worth a watch just for goofy Brian Cox playing a possessed dad.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Click here to see all the photos of the tranquil New York getaway.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
8 May 2025
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The saga of this allegedly civilized periodical seemed about as tranquil as a Viking smithy.—
Anthony Lane,
New Yorker,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-possessed. Accessed 23 May. 2025.
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