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
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
But Gauff’s ability—at a mere 19 years of age—to play the fiercest tennis on the tour while remaining almost ridiculously self-possessed is a thing to behold, and should serve her well here.
—Corey Seymour, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024
Older Rita is still self-possessed but, as written, there’s a distance that smooths the edges, turns her into a saintly figure and saps the character of the charge that keeps someone married for decades.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
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
But Gauff’s ability—at a mere 19 years of age—to play the fiercest tennis on the tour while remaining almost ridiculously self-possessed is a thing to behold, and should serve her well here.
—Corey Seymour, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024
Older Rita is still self-possessed but, as written, there’s a distance that smooths the edges, turns her into a saintly figure and saps the character of the charge that keeps someone married for decades.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Feb. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-possessed
Adjective
-
Designed for moments of escape and calm, this walled section is especially attractive for those with sensory challenges.—
Frances MacDougall,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2025
-
If you are bitten by a rattlesnake, the department says to stay calm but act quickly.—
Sarah Linn,
Sacramento Bee,
15 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Christy Turlington, looking serene in gray cashmere trousers, and with a surfeit of bling lighting up her turtleneck, closes the show.—
Lynn Yaeger,
Vogue,
5 Feb. 2025
-
His hair is long; his face looks kid-like, uncharacteristically serene.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Twenty-six percent favor it, with 23% supporting a peaceful acquisition and 3% supporting the potential use of force.—
Brendan Rascius,
Miami Herald,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Medical retreats are often located in tranquil settings—think serene beaches, lush forests, or peaceful mountains—that naturally promote relaxation.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
The 17-year-old, composed and well prepared, rattled off data about the need for youth involvement in civic decision-making.—
Mará Rose Williams,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2025
-
Myles Lewis-Skelly, the local hero, all boyhood Arsenal spirit wrapped into a mature and composed performance, whooped buoyantly at the crowd when he was barged towards the nearest exit.—
Amy Lawrence,
The Athletic,
15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Here are their collected memories. February 7, 2025 Today marks one month since the outbreak of the worst wildfires in Los Angeles history.—
The Editors of AD,
Architectural Digest,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The collected data will shed light on how species adapt and recolonize—or don’t.—
Anton Sorokin,
Smithsonian Magazine,
5 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
In a possessed rush, Tyler storms up the stairwell, down the corridor and enters the bedroom to tackle Ryan, who has already killed one of Chloe’s friends and staged it as an overdose.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2025
-
Mikey’s got a possessed toilet, a rotten floor, a delivery guy with a net-30 billing schedule, and insufficient staff.—
Marah Eakin,
Vulture,
27 June 2024
Adjective
-
Their outwardly tranquil and faithful domestic life exploded that winter.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Jan. 2025
-
With items like party wings tossed in a Georgia peach and habanero sauce and juicy roasted hen with collard greens paired with timely tipples such as The First Snow (spiced rum, hazelnut liqueur, double spiced chai tea, cinnamon and heavy cream), travel day is downright tranquil.—
DeMarco Williams,
Forbes,
20 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near self-possessed
Cite this Entry
“Self-possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-possessed. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
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