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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The show’s continuing appeal hinges largely on Guralnik; her calm demeanor and sharp analytical framing guide the participants (and the audience) toward astute insights about their relationship patterns.Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
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Children who used to be violent have become calmer, and violence against children has significantly decreased.Sarah Ferguson, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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These healthy habits also help optimize the bedtime routine by eliminating stimulation and creating structure, which can help mitigate overwhelm and prepare you for a more serene morning.Jeanne Ballion, Vogue, 13 Dec. 2024
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The only team with double figures of wins this season is Liverpool, who have stood out as a model of relatively serene stability, while most of those beneath them have thrashed about like fish on the deck of a ship.Nick Miller, The Athletic, 13 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The peaceful gathering quickly escalated into violent clashes as protesters and officers engaged in running altercations through the city's streets.Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024
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The United Nations as Leviathan: Global Governance in the Post-American World Rich argues that the United Nations is the only body capable of generating a peaceful and cooperative order in the emerging post-American world.Kal Raustiala, Foreign Affairs, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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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
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Every scouting report starts with how to contain the 6-foot-7 post, who has become more composed, stronger and better conditioned as a junior.Sabreena Merchant, The Athletic, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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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
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Available at 40% off for Cyber Monday, this robot can vacuum and mop your floors, and its base station will automatically suck out all the collected dirt, wash the mops, dry them, and refill the water tank, delivering a truly hands-free experience.PCMAG, PCMAG, 2 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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At around noon, attendees arrived at Lauder’s residence, a surprisingly tranquil refuge.Ian Malone, Vogue, 10 Dec. 2024
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On floating shelves above her rest small potted plants, signs of organic life amid a tranquil technological ecosystem.Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 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 22 Dec. 2024.
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