composure

noun

com·​po·​sure kəm-ˈpō-zhər 

: a calmness or repose especially of mind, bearing, or appearance : self-possession

The witness started to break down, then paused and regained her composure.

Synonyms

• calmness
• serenity
• coolness
• tranquillity
• equilibrium
• assurance
• equanimity

Choose the Right Synonym for composure

equanimity, composure, sangfroid mean evenness of mind under stress.

equanimity suggests a habit of mind that is only rarely disturbed under great strain.

accepted her troubles with equanimity

composure implies the controlling of emotional or mental agitation by an effort of will or as a matter of habit.

maintaining his composure even under hostile questioning

sangfroid implies great coolness and steadiness under strain.

handled the situation with professional sangfroid

Examples of composure in a Sentence

After the initial shock she regained her composure.

kept his composure in spite of the repeated provocations

Recent Examples on the Web

Their average rotation age was among the youngest ever for a champion, and yet their composure never wavered under the bright lights. —Okla Jones, Essence, 23 June 2025

Beating Indiana to even the series in Game 4 on the road, then holding their composure to win Game 7 at home, would be harder than opening a bottle of Champagne. —Andrew Greif, NBC news, 23 June 2025

After somewhat regaining her composure, Evans asked if JENNIE might be able to convince JISOO — the only BLACKPINK member who hasn’t yet appeared on Hot Ones — to take on the challenge. —Mitchell Peters, Billboard, 19 June 2025

That preternatural composure and no-nonsense attitude has helped Zanganeh navigate a life filled with more twists and turns than a Persian bazaar. —Kerry A. Dolan, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

see compose

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing composure

• keep one's cool/composure
• lose one's cool/composure
• maintain one's cool/composure

Rhymes for composure

• cynosure
• disclosure
• enclosure
• exposure
• foreclosure
• inclosure
• closure
• crozier
• hosier
• mosher
• nondisclosure
• postexposure

Kids Definition

composure

noun

com·​po·​sure kəm-ˈpō-zhər 

: calmness especially of mind, manner, or appearance

she kept her composure