as in calm
free from emotional or mental agitation
a supremely self-possessed teacher who could handle any crisis
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples of self-possessed in a Sentence
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Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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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
Watching the film and seeing these many elements somehow cohesively combined, there’s the sense that Smith, who in person is both self-possessed and warm, is always in control.
—Elaina Patton, NBC News, 28 July 2023
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
Watching the film and seeing these many elements somehow cohesively combined, there’s the sense that Smith, who in person is both self-possessed and warm, is always in control.
—Elaina Patton, NBC News, 28 July 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-possessed
Adjective
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Great need can also reduce an ordinarily calm and reflective hunter to a gibbering imbecile.Jack O’Connor, Outdoor Life, 6 Nov. 2024
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On the other end, a scammer impersonates a bank representative with a calm and authoritative tone.Lars Daniel, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Housing up to 14 people, a group of friends or family reunion can enjoy a comfortable space in a serene setting.Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2024
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The figure’s serene posture against the backdrop of the ocean resonated deeply with them, leading to quiet contemplation.Laura Parker, Forbes, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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While in prison, Mohammadi has continued to campaign tirelessly for human rights causes, lobbying strongly for the rights of Iranian women and calling for a peaceful resolution to the war in Gaza.Niamh Kennedy, CNN, 4 Nov. 2024
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Whether to accept election results and the peaceful transfer of power has never been on the ballot like this.ABC News, ABC News, 3 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Stay composed and resilient with empathy, which should help ease tension in the room.Expert Panel®, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024
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In a star-making performance, Pierre is terrific as a man with a particular skill set thrumming below his composed, placid surface.Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2024
Adjective
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These machine learning algorithms can quickly identify patterns and insights in collected data that would normally take much longer for a human eye to catch.Mahshid Ahmadi, The Conversation, 17 Sep. 2024
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Also, finding one-of-a-kind art at the thrift is a great way to give a personal, collected look to your space.Betsy Cribb Watson, Southern Living, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
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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
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Blair, who played the possessed main character, reportedly faced backlash for playing the role.Julie Tremaine, Peoplemag, 17 Aug. 2024
Adjective
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The aroma of copal and fresh herbs fill the air, and there’s a tranquil sense of quiet and peace.Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024
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Riley writes that after a fairly tranquil decade after the divorce from Jackson, her mother began to blow things up in her life — firing virtually all of the staff that had been like friends to them, as well as cutting off actual friends… and even losing her religion.Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2024
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 Nov. 2024.
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