composure

noun

com·​po·​sure kəm-ˈpō-zhər How to pronounce composure (audio)
: a calmness or repose especially of mind, bearing, or appearance : self-possession
The witness started to break down, then paused and regained her composure.
Choose the Right Synonym for composure

equanimity, composure, sangfroid mean evenness of mind under stress.

equanimity suggests a habit of mind that is only rarely disturbed under great strain.

accepted her troubles with equanimity

composure implies the controlling of emotional or mental agitation by an effort of will or as a matter of habit.

maintaining his composure even under hostile questioning

sangfroid implies great coolness and steadiness under strain.

handled the situation with professional sangfroid

Examples of composure in a Sentence

After the initial shock she regained her composure. kept his composure in spite of the repeated provocations
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then Wood and Ross Colton completely lost their composure after Nils Höglander drew an obvious penalty on Colton against the grain late in the third period. Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 5 Feb. 2025 But the main reason scientists believe people should keep their composure is because there is a good chance 2024 YR4 will be reclassified down to Level 0 when observed in the future, the same outcome for 2004 VD17 and 99942 Apophis. Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 31 Jan. 2025 Jang manages to keep his composure, approaching his wife quietly. Barry Levitt, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025 The sacred and the profane, religious devotion and sensuality, simmering passion shrouded in a veil of composure and silence —these dramatic contrasts have shaped their repertoire from the outset, nearly 40 years ago. Tiziana Cardini, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for composure 

Word History

Etymology

see compose

First Known Use

1647, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of composure was in 1647

Dictionary Entries Near composure

Cite this Entry

“Composure.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/composure. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

composure

noun
com·​po·​sure kəm-ˈpō-zhər How to pronounce composure (audio)
: calmness especially of mind, manner, or appearance
she kept her composure

More from Merriam-Webster on composure

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