composure

[kuh m-poh-zher]

See more synonyms for composure on Thesaurus.com

noun

serene, self-controlled state of mind; calmness; tranquillity: Despite the hysteria and panic around him, he retained his composure.

Origin of composure

First recorded in 1590–1600; compose + -ure

Related formsnon·com·po·sure, noun

Synonyms

See more synonyms for composure on Thesaurus.com

equability, serenity, quiet, coolness, equanimity, self-possession.

Antonyms

agitation.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for composure

Contemporary Examples

He recalled being angry and trying to keep his composure as he strode past Cosby into the front hall.
‘I Saved My Friend From Bill Cosby’
Lloyd Grove
December 3, 2014
Through it all, though, Holder has maintained his composure and remained focused on his legal and constitutional responsibilities.
Eric Holder’s Legacy: Bold on Equality, Less So on Civil Liberties
Geoffrey R. Stone
September 26, 2014
I regained my composure and stepped fully inside the crowded hallway.
Inside a Hospital for the Criminally Insane
Caitlin Dickson
September 15, 2014
At several points during his narrative, he has to stop to regain his composure.
The Crash and Churn of Lawrence O’Donnell
Lloyd Grove
June 20, 2014
Throughout her shows, she has had to stop singing to regain her composure.
Miley Cyrus Pays Bizarre Tribute to Her Dead Dog, Floyd, at a Brooklyn Concert
Marina Watts
April 7, 2014

Historical Examples

Had the encounter been anticipated his composure would perhaps have failed him.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
I remembered the object of my visit, and struggled for composure.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. 327
Various
I will now favor the company with a song of my own composure.
Weighed and Wanting
George MacDonald
There was no lessening of the bride's composure as she replied, with a little shrug.
Within the Law
Marvin Dana
That day she embroidered with her usual application and composure.
The Dream
Emile Zola

British Dictionary definitions for composure

composure

noun

calmness, esp of the mind; tranquillity; serenity

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for composure

n.

c.1600, "composition" (also, in early use, with many senses now given to compound), from compose + -ure. Sense of "tranquility, calmness" is first recorded 1660s, from composed "calm" (1620s). For sense, cf. colloquial to fall apart "to lose one's composure."

composure

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}composure

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples from the Web for composure

Contemporary Examples

He recalled being angry and trying to keep his composure as he strode past Cosby into the front hall.

Through it all, though, Holder has maintained his composure and remained focused on his legal and constitutional responsibilities.

I regained my composure and stepped fully inside the crowded hallway.

At several points during his narrative, he has to stop to regain his composure.

Throughout her shows, she has had to stop singing to regain her composure.

Historical Examples

Had the encounter been anticipated his composure would perhaps have failed him.

I remembered the object of my visit, and struggled for composure.

I will now favor the company with a song of my own composure.

There was no lessening of the bride's composure as she replied, with a little shrug.

That day she embroidered with her usual application and composure.

composure

Word Origin and History for composure

n.

Origin of composure