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
Up until this episode, George’s public and private selves have been equally self-possessed.
—
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
In retrospect, consent was likely a smoke screen for the brasher provocation of depicting unhoused men as nude, occasionally aroused, and self-possessed.
—Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
The most notable are her women: self-possessed and in casual repose, unidealized and unbothered by being beheld.
—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
Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
In retrospect, consent was likely a smoke screen for the brasher provocation of depicting unhoused men as nude, occasionally aroused, and self-possessed.
—Jeremy Lybarger, Artforum, 1 Feb. 2025
The most notable are her women: self-possessed and in casual repose, unidealized and unbothered by being beheld.
—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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-possessed
Adjective
-
Both drivers have been relatively calm in the past, but that composure seemed to unravel today.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
2 Mar. 2025
-
The one child was screaming and running up and down, and the other child was really calm and quiet.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
1 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The show’s tropical backdrop, with its contrasts of serene beauty and underlying tensions, directly informed the use of saturated colors, exotic patterns, and organic textures.—
Shivani Vora,
Forbes,
1 Mar. 2025
-
It’s tucked away in the hills—far above the neon signs of Sunset Boulevard and the ritzy shops of Rodeo Drive—and the outdoor entrance takes you by a serene lake where swans swim by.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
27 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
This boutique property offers it all—four-poster beds, roaring fireplaces, and plenty of mature gardens for peaceful afternoon strolls.—
Nicole Kliest,
Vogue,
10 Mar. 2025
-
The Department of Homeland Security's lawless decision to arrest him solely because of his peaceful anti-genocide activism represents a blatant attack on the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech, immigration laws, and the very humanity of Palestinians.—
William Lambers,
Newsweek,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Unexpected challenges, such as economic disruptions or global crises, require leaders to remain composed and responsive.—
Dr. Sharon H. Porter,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
The 17-year-old, composed and well prepared, rattled off data about the need for youth involvement in civic decision-making.—
Mará Rose Williams,
Kansas City Star,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
The collected cans are recycled locally, where they’re traded in for market rate for the scrap aluminum.—
Madeline Weinfield,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Feb. 2025
-
McKay, whose work is known for comfortable, collected environments, instinctively picked up on that direction and ran with it.—
David Foxley,
Architectural Digest,
28 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Based on the William Peter Blatty novel of the same name, the story centers on a possessed young girl named Regan (Blair) and the two Catholic priests who perform an exorcism to rid Regan of the demon that has taken over her body.—
Diana Pearl,
People.com,
2 Mar. 2025
-
In a possessed rush, Tyler storms up the stairwell, down the corridor and enters the bedroom to tackle Ryan, who has already killed one of Chloe’s friends and staged it as an overdose.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
25 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Nowadays, this tranquil stretch of sand in southwest Koh Samui is lined by tourist accommodations, including the lavish InterContinental Koh Samui Resort.—
Ronan O'Connell,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Feb. 2025
-
What started off as a tranquil moment of solitude turned into a disaster, as the Labrador showed no understanding of personal space.—
Tom Rogers,
Newsweek,
21 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-possessed. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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