Synonym Chooser

How does the noun composure contrast with its synonyms?

The words equanimity and sangfroid are common synonyms of composure. While all three words mean "evenness of mind under stress," 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

When is equanimity a more appropriate choice than composure?

Although the words equanimity and composure have much in common, equanimity suggests a habit of mind that is only rarely disturbed under great strain.

accepted her troubles with equanimity

Where would sangfroid be a reasonable alternative to composure?

While in some cases nearly identical to composure, sangfroid implies great coolness and steadiness under strain.

handled the situation with professional sangfroid

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of composure Then Wood and Ross Colton completely lost their composure after Nils Höglander drew an obvious penalty on Colton against the grain late in the third period. Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025 But the main reason scientists believe people should keep their composure is because there is a good chance 2024 YR4 will be reclassified down to Level 0 when observed in the future, the same outcome for 2004 VD17 and 99942 Apophis. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025 Jang manages to keep his composure, approaching his wife quietly. Barry Levitt, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025 The sacred and the profane, religious devotion and sensuality, simmering passion shrouded in a veil of composure and silence —these dramatic contrasts have shaped their repertoire from the outset, nearly 40 years ago. Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for composure 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composure
Noun
  • Nature and the mountains provide us a sense of serenity, a sense of spirituality.
    John Meyer, The Denver Post, 2 Feb. 2025
  • The Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River blends riverside serenity with cosmopolitan buzz and achieves the holy grail of marrying grandeur and scale with intimate spaces.
    Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Often, our everyday stressors feel never-ending, and the return to equilibrium becomes less than breezy.
    Marie Bladt, Vogue, 22 Jan. 2025
  • With Biden, the vice presidency seemed to return to a more appropriate equilibrium after Cheney’s extraordinary tenure.
    Roy Brownell, Baltimore Sun, 18 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • The assurance from Bondi that President Trump would not enforce the law was enough for Apple and Google to bring the app back.
    Bobby Allyn, NPR, 13 Feb. 2025
  • However, this assurance did little to ease the concerns of Democrats who point to Trump's attempts to influence previous investigations, such as his pressure on FBI Director James Comey and Attorney General Jeff Sessions during his first term.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • The equanimity skills group also had lower blood pressure and hormonal stress levels.
    J. David Creswell, Scientific American, 10 Nov. 2023
  • Effective stakeholder management thrives on the interplay of equanimity and equity.
    Dr. Grace Lee, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near composure

Cite this Entry

“Composure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composure. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on composure

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