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
Even for someone used to covering for her daughter’s wrongdoings, Tracey is remarkably self-possessed as Laura pries mercilessly into her life and accuses Cherry of every crime under the sun.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Yoro came out with top marks in reports, a teenager who looked self-possessed.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
Smart, grounded, and self-possessed (not to mention the closest AJLT got to middle-class representation), Pittman’s Nya made more sense as part of the ensemble.
—Judy Berman, Time, 28 May 2025
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
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Sep. 2025
Yoro came out with top marks in reports, a teenager who looked self-possessed.
—Andy Mitten, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2025
Smart, grounded, and self-possessed (not to mention the closest AJLT got to middle-class representation), Pittman’s Nya made more sense as part of the ensemble.
—Judy Berman, Time, 28 May 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-possessed
Adjective
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Charlie would have called for calm heads and careful strategy.—
Ayaan Hirsi Ali,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Sep. 2025
-
The great hope of the Gulf Arabs is that Trump understands this and finally pressures Netanyahu to accept a ceasefire agreement, returning the region to something approaching calm.—
Monica Marks,
Time,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Lakes offer a different rhythm — more serene but just as active.—
Roger Sands,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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Along the mostly untouched northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula sits serene Sisal, a peaceful beach destination bringing increasingly more visitors to the region.—
Carley Rojas Avila,
Travel + Leisure,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
John Mariani Inside the walls the Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi is a peaceful square whose surrounding buildings with their green shutters echo the various architectural styles of the city’s history.—
John Mariani,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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Police watched the Capitol lawn from atop a nearby parking garage, but the event was peaceful.—
Paul Egan,
Freep.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The second thing that makes an impression is how composed Sartori is—remarkably Zen even—mere hours before a major show.—
Naomi Rougeau,
Robb Report,
13 Sep. 2025
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The vocabulary being used by Qatar’s prime minister is strong, evocative and damning, a departure from his usual composed response to the incessant twists and turns of trying to end the 23-month war in Gaza.—
Paula Hancocks,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
If the justices rule that IEEPA does not permit these tariffs, the government could be potentially required to refund some collected duties and presidents going forward could face clearer statutory limits on unilateral trade actions.—
Anna Commander
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
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Your publisher is preparing an edition of new and collected stories, which will come out next year.—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
10 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The Nun pops out of a wall, a demon appears on a bed, crosses start to spin, a possessed figure scampers across the ceiling and a man with an axe cornered me in a random closet.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Sep. 2025
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As possessed people speak in foreign tongues and violence rises, Ahmed fears regaining memory, while the disciple fears his master’s decline may unleash an ancient evil.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Tucked along the Current River, Blue Spring is a tranquil, can’t-miss spot in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Aug. 2025
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Water features are a key component thanks to their tranquil sound and rhythmic flow.—
Laura Fenton,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-possessed. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.
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