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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Spend your days hiking to Tahquitz Falls or strolling the calm trails within the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.—
Danielle Pointdujour,
Essence,
13 Mar. 2025
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The calm, shallow waters of Holbox provide the ideal setting for this deeply relaxing, transformative activity.—
Rana Good,
Forbes,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Grateful Pie provides a serene and picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy delicious food and beverages.—
Ed Semmler,
USA TODAY,
13 Mar. 2025
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Davila had named the serene guest rooms after her siblings, nieces and nephews — The Tito, fashioned after youngest brother Tito who likes to fix things, had a saw, hammer, wrenches and other tools on a wall and a bicycle holding up the bathroom vanity.—
Norma Meyer,
Orange County Register,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The Department of Homeland Security's lawless decision to arrest him solely because of his peaceful anti-genocide activism represents a blatant attack on the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech, immigration laws, and the very humanity of Palestinians.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
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This boutique property offers it all—four-poster beds, roaring fireplaces, and plenty of mature gardens for peaceful afternoon strolls.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Unexpected challenges, such as economic disruptions or global crises, require leaders to remain composed and responsive.—
Dr. Sharon H. Porter,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
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
Adjective
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But Umberg’s bill seeks to outright mandate that companies can only use the collected neural data for the purpose for which it was intended to be used and disposed of when done.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Orange County Register,
10 Mar. 2025
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Accessories are essential to creating a collected feel.—
Elizabeth Stamp,
Architectural Digest,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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Nowadays, this tranquil stretch of sand in southwest Koh Samui is lined by tourist accommodations, including the lavish InterContinental Koh Samui Resort.—
Ronan O'Connell,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Feb. 2025
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What started off as a tranquil moment of solitude turned into a disaster, as the Labrador showed no understanding of personal space.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-possessed. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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