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
The most notable are her women: self-possessed and in casual repose, unidealized and unbothered by being beheld.
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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
As a world-builder, Regan has made a film every bit as feisty, self-possessed and street-smart as Georgie herself.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2023
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
As a world-builder, Regan has made a film every bit as feisty, self-possessed and street-smart as Georgie herself.
—Ann Hornaday, Washington Post, 18 Sep. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-possessed
Adjective
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The Southern Bridge that connects the nether end of tony Palm Beach Island to the mainland city of West Palm Beach was once a calm overpass where people strolled alongside Bentleys over the Intracoastal Waterway.Beth Landman, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Jan. 2025
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Overnight, helicopter crews worked to combat the fire, using water drops to suppress the flames, aided by relatively calm winds, the newspaper reported.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Indulge in an authentic Bhutanese Hot Stone Bath, enjoy a serene soak in the indoor heated pool or take advantage of a free daily yoga class.Sandra MacGregor, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
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Whatever your personal design style, color will play a big part in setting the tone for your home, and these sage green decorating ideas can be part of a restful, serene environment.Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Dunn said he was disappointed that the Senate was unable to reach the two-thirds threshold needed to convict Trump after he was impeached by the House for his role in the Jan. 6 riots and his attempt to delay the peaceful transfer of power.Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025
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The peaceful transfer of power is a hallmark of our democracy — especially when elections do not turn in our favor.Shania Russell, EW.com, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The Brooklyn native became the new IBF super lightweight champion with a composed and masterful boxing performance to defeat Liam Paro (25-1) on Saturday night in Puerto Rico.Brian Mazique, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024
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Even as the weapon appeared to jam, the shooter remained composed, standing over Thompson and firing again before walking away, leaving behind bullet casings inscribed with messages, multiple news outlets reported.Phaedra Trethan, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The cameras and databases of collected data are frequently used by police to search for suspects.Matt Burgess, WIRED, 7 Jan. 2025
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At the fountain, the collected coins are weighed under the oversight of city police officers before Mr. Marchioni takes them to Caritas offices.Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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The two-hour runtime and slow boil storytelling make the full unveiling of Linda Blair’s possessed, demonic Regan all the more devastating, providing a horror monster whose salvation is all too easy to root for.Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 17 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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After making the roughly 30-mile journey north from Tahiti, Brando found 12 small coral islets, or motus, encircling a tranquil lagoon.Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Jan. 2025
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Once a favorite spot for the young composer Fryderyk Chopin, this tranquil oasis invites you to pause and relax.Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 2 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 17 Jan. 2025.
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