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
And if ‘Robot & Frank’ director Jake Schreier’s Marvel debut is among the best and most self-possessed of these movies since Thanos snapped the mega-franchise half, its pleasures still feel like faint echoes of the series’ previous highs.
—
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 May 2025
His early writing—often brilliant and, given his youth, boldly self-possessed, sometimes to a fault—is driven by certainty.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
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
Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 May 2025
His early writing—often brilliant and, given his youth, boldly self-possessed, sometimes to a fault—is driven by certainty.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-possessed
Adjective
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Considered one of the state’s best beach towns, Biloxi is known for its picturesque sand and calm waters that are protected by barrier islands just south of the beach in the Gulf of Mexico.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
23 May 2025
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It's also infused with prebiotic oats, which support healthy skin and calm irritations like eczema.—
Laura Lu,
Parents,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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At the Cowboy Carter concert at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Thursday (May 15), the serene moment was interrupted — at least for Blue, who realized the earring in her right ear was caught in Beyoncé’s hair.—
Ashley Iasimone,
Billboard,
17 May 2025
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People who responded to the survey said the Morro Bay campsite was serene and dog-friendly, while also being close to town and nature walks.—
Hannah Poukish,
Sacbee.com,
17 May 2025
Adjective
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Nearby, at Hatta Dam, rent a kayak and enjoy a peaceful few hours on the quiet waters, surrounded by dramatic peaks.—
Natasha Amar,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
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Before our appointment at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, a peaceful retreat off the Bodega Highway in West Sonoma county, a friend and I popped into a nearby gift shop.—
Alyssa Bereznak,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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The Mexican side looked more composed in the second half, creating more scoring opportunities, especially after Sarah Luebbert (former Chicago Red Stars and University of Missouri standout) came on as a substitute and threatened Gotham’s defense.—
Tamerra Griffin,
New York Times,
21 May 2025
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Today Diddy seemed more composed, though how long that will last is TBD.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Analysis of collected data is expected to be complete within 60 days of the tests' conclusion.—
Doug Thompson,
Arkansas Online,
2 May 2025
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The federal agency found that companies were working with third-party firms to process the collected customer data and tweak prices accordingly.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
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After taking a couple episodes to establish its premise, there’s a procedural rhythm to Hub’s hunting expeditions, tracking targets from a possessed priest to a Satanic cheerleader.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2025
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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
Adjective
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At Lewis Vaughn Botanical Garden, a tranquil 1.5-acre oasis in the heart of the historic downtown, visitors will find a pond with koi and many examples of Georgia Piedmont plants.—
Nicole Letts,
Southern Living,
20 May 2025
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In its path, a group of longtime neighbors live in a tranquil enclave of homes.—
Jennifer Berry Hawes,
ProPublica,
19 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-possessed. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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