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
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
In person, Harris is dinner and a show: loquacious, feisty and entirely self-possessed, with a diamond-hard sense of self, forged by years of having to defend it.
—Jazmine Hughes, Washington Post, 25 July 2024
On one side, the Glass House, transparent and entirely self-possessed, a work of modernist daring framed in steel and inspired, as Johnson was only too happy to admit, by the designs of his hero, the German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
—Christopher Hawthorne, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024
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
In person, Harris is dinner and a show: loquacious, feisty and entirely self-possessed, with a diamond-hard sense of self, forged by years of having to defend it.
—Jazmine Hughes, Washington Post, 25 July 2024
On one side, the Glass House, transparent and entirely self-possessed, a work of modernist daring framed in steel and inspired, as Johnson was only too happy to admit, by the designs of his hero, the German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe.
—Christopher Hawthorne, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-possessed
Adjective
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The sulfur and salicylic acid calm things down without stripping my skin, and there’s even charcoal and bentonite clay to go even deeper and pull out gunk.—
Jennifer Hussein,
Allure,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Tsunoda came into the weekend with fairly calm expectations, saying that a Q3 appearance and points return would be a good start.—
Luke Smith,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The primary suite, situated on the main floor, features a serene bathroom with bamboo detailing on the ceiling and a private terrace overlooking the lake.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
7 Apr. 2025
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The video initially shows serene underwater footage featuring fish gliding through turquoise waters.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In the opening scene of Season 3, Nicholas Duvernay’s character hurls expletives at a Buddha statue — encapsulating the character’s cultural ignorance while also foreshadowing how the retreat will be anything but peaceful for those seeking peace.—
Viren Naidu,
IndieWire,
2 Apr. 2025
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Tesla’s stock has plummeted nearly 50 percent since late December, and the EV company has become a target for both peaceful protests and violent demonstrations, including vandalism, shootings and arson attacks.—
Miranda Nazzaro,
The Hill,
2 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The 2021 Baylor and 2022 Kansas national championship squads were nearly entirely composed of upperclassmen, and UConn started just one freshman for each of its back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024.—
Lev Akabas,
Sportico.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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For example, research at the Ivey Business School reveals that temperance (being calm, composed, patient, prudent, and self-controlled) is one of the weakest character dimensions for many people.—
Mary Crossan,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Step 2: Near-Edge Processing Some of the collected data is moved to near-edge compute environments, such as ruggedized servers, for additional processing.—
Chhandomay Mandal,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Longtime collector and principal designer Deborah Lund curates an exceptional mix of contemporary art, midcentury pieces, and vintage lighting in her interiors, blending styles and historical influences for a collected look.—
Dan Howarth,
Architectural Digest,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Based on the William Peter Blatty novel of the same name, the story centers on a possessed young girl named Regan (Blair) and the two Catholic priests who perform an exorcism to rid Regan of the demon that has taken over her body.—
Diana Pearl,
People.com,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Photo : The Finale Masterplan Development A tranquil powder room.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
31 Mar. 2025
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The Spa The Heavenly Spa by Westin is a tranquil space located toward the back of the resort, just a short walk or quick bike ride away.—
Jess Feldman,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-possessed. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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