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
-
The feature is set in British Columbia, largely in the span of a summer during the nineteen-nineties, in a calm residential suburb on the ruggedly alluring Vancouver Island.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
This is altered by telehealth, which allows patients to start this delicate procedure in a calm, secure and private setting.—
Lucy Jones
April 11,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The layered garden at Tarabel is a treasure that offers guests a serene retreat tucked away from the busy city.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The golden-hour snap captured a serene moment of reflection.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In the decades after the war, Japanese Americans would be hailed as a model minority for their resilience and peaceful reintegration into American life.—
Hua Hsu,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Numerous friends and family members, in interviews with the News, described Griffin as a peaceful man, known for his devotion to God as much as his spitfire lyrics.—
Roni Jacobson,
New York Daily News,
19 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
-
Start with a high-quality anchor piece, then layer in vintage accents that make the patio feel collected and personal.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
10 Apr. 2026
-
The robot will vacuum oil from the water’s surface, return to its base station to discharge the collected oil, and then redeploy to the spill site.—
Ben Coxworth
March 10,
New Atlas,
10 Mar. 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
-
My 90-minute Inner Calm massage in a treatment room with rainforest views was restorative and tranquil, while morning hikes on Ladera’s cliffside trails further enhanced the distinctive sense of place and vantage point of the resort.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 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 25 Apr. 2026.
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