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
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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Hoping for a calm four years while waiting out Trump’s term is not a viable option for South Korea, either.Robert E. Kelly, Foreign Affairs, 30 Dec. 2024
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Quarterback Aidan O’Connell did his part and was calm in the pocket, finding Jakobi Meyers and Tre Tucker for touchdowns and not throwing an interception.Vic Tafur, The Athletic, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The owner’s primary suite occupies the fourth floor, the town house’s most serene level.Kathryn Romeyn, Architectural Digest, 31 Dec. 2024
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Their surroundings were so serene that generations of Craigs stayed and settled on the outskirts of Fairview, N.C., near Asheville.Eduardo Medina, New York Times, 29 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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On December 21, a peaceful Saturday afternoon, which included both NFL and college football games, the Guardians traded first baseman Josh Naylor to the Arizona Diamondbacks.Bernie Pleskoff, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024
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Iraq, North Korea, and Iran, all signatories of the 1970 nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, concealed their nuclear weapons ambitions behind a 'peaceful' nuclear program.Thomas Bass Author, Newsweek, 19 Dec. 2024
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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This artificial attention allows for a full-on focus, analyzing and responding to others with the collected wisdom of the ages.Chris Westfall, Forbes, 14 Dec. 2024
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Furthermore, the court found that the act burdens businesses with significant compliance costs—projected to exceed $22 billion in the first year alone—without clear safeguards against misuse of collected data.Matthew F. Erskine, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
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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There’s no in-ground swimming pool; the tranquil Magothy will have to do.Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 19 Dec. 2024
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The exclusive tented camp preserves the island’s tranquil ambiance with a limited number of accommodations.Jennifer Lee, Forbes, 18 Dec. 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 5 Jan. 2025.
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