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
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
Smart, grounded, and self-possessed (not to mention the closest AJLT got to middle-class representation), Pittman’s Nya made more sense as part of the ensemble.
—Judy Berman, Time, 28 May 2025
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
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
Smart, grounded, and self-possessed (not to mention the closest AJLT got to middle-class representation), Pittman’s Nya made more sense as part of the ensemble.
—Judy Berman, Time, 28 May 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-possessed
Adjective
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From clever packing solutions and cozy in-flight accessories, to tiny upgrades that make a huge difference midair, all of these travel hacks are pilot-approved for keeping your journey calm, clean, and surprisingly comfortable from takeoff to touchdown.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
24 Oct. 2025
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Pasolini works in an atmosphere of calm.—
David Wingrave,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Imposing granite cliff faces like Half Dome and El Capitan, serene meadows and forests, and the picturesque Merced River, all tend to come to mind.—
Cu Fleshman,
Travel + Leisure,
25 Oct. 2025
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Researchers at the University of Arizona later observed that green light—which is strongly reflected at us by plants—also triggers a release of natural opioids, promoting a serene state.—
Rowan Jacobsen,
Harpers Magazine,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Fall boating can mean peaceful days on Arkansas' large reservoirs while many hunters begin to hit the woods instead of the water.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Oct. 2025
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But the enormous turnout for the largely peaceful demonstrations appeared to stiffen their resolve.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Senne Lammens continuing his composed start to his United career could at least counteract those types of chances for Brighton, while Amorim’s defenders will need to be astute to the movement of Hurzeler’s front-line.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
23 Oct. 2025
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Only on particularly bumpy tarmac did the GTS-spec suspension become too jarring with the adaptive dampers stiffened up in sport mode, but switching them to normal offered the best of both worlds—excellent, composed body control and tuning that ironed out imperfections remarkably well.—
Peter Nelson,
Robb Report,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Different birds, different behaviors The collected recordings were analyzed by BirdNET, an AI system that can identify bird species based on their calls.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN Money,
13 Oct. 2025
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When the 24-year-old nets, the defender does his best to maintain his cool, calm and collected persona.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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At age nine, she was offered the lead role of a possessed girl in the 1973 film The Exorcist.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
7 Oct. 2025
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The Nun pops out of a wall, a demon appears on a bed, crosses start to spin, a possessed figure scampers across the ceiling and a man with an axe cornered me in a random closet.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The tranquil, upscale neighborhood of Pacific Palisades was devastated by the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles County in January, destroying thousands of structures—including the home of celebrities such as Jeff Bridges, Paris Hilton, and Billy Crystal.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Sep. 2025
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Out-of-towners were enjoying the warm weather and music on an outdoor deck at the American Fish Company in Southport, a small and tranquil city near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, when gunshots rang out.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
28 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-possessed. Accessed 27 Oct. 2025.
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