composed 1 of 2

composed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of compose
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2
as in comprised
to be all the substance of the earth's crust is composed of mostly silicon with several other elements in smaller amounts

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word composed different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of composed are collected, cool, imperturbable, nonchalant, and unruffled. While all these words mean "free from agitation or excitement," composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

Where would collected be a reasonable alternative to composed?

Although the words collected and composed have much in common, collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

When might cool be a better fit than composed?

While the synonyms cool and composed are close in meaning, cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

In what contexts can imperturbable take the place of composed?

The words imperturbable and composed are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

When can nonchalant be used instead of composed?

The meanings of nonchalant and composed largely overlap; however, nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

When is unruffled a more appropriate choice than composed?

In some situations, the words unruffled and composed are roughly equivalent. However, unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of composed
Adjective
Remember, significant wealth can be created in the market by those who maintain a composed and strategic approach during times of volatility. Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 Her parents, Bertram and Olga, operated a music school and composed music. Mike Barnes, HollywoodReporter, 4 Aug. 2025
Verb
The French selection committee overseen by France’s National Cinema Centre (CNC) is composed of members drawn from artistic and industry sides of the film world, all of whom have experience on the awards trail. Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 10 Sep. 2025 Instead, the company designs a multi-agent system composed of several cooperating agents. Gopikrishnan Anilkumar, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for composed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composed
Adjective
  • If the justices rule that IEEPA does not permit these tariffs, the government could be potentially required to refund some collected duties and presidents going forward could face clearer statutory limits on unilateral trade actions.
    Anna Commander Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Your publisher is preparing an edition of new and collected stories, which will come out next year.
    Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) pressed ahead with its assault on Gaza City, the Israeli Air Force prepared for what would be the first-ever Israeli strike on a Gulf Arab nation.
    Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • As the Nepali population prepared for a possible nationwide internet blackout following the social media ban, users began recommending Bitchat across platforms like Reddit.
    Javier Bastardo, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Burroughs’s donors comprised real estate investment, holdings and development organizations and business development investors, among other organizations.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025
  • These smaller listings have comprised an essential part of Nasdaq’s IPOs over the past several years, and the impact of the new rules, if adopted, could be disruptive to many companies currently preparing to go public, as well as the investment banks and advisory firms that work with them.
    Drew Bernstein, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Restoring brain glucose levels calmed the overactive CCK interneurons, in turn regulating the function of those excitatory pyramidal neurons, and the short-term memory problems seen in the mice were resolved.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Gold fell in the markets in the 1980s and the 1990s, as real estate calmed down for once.
    Brian Domitrovic, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • On a sunny Tuesday morning, 35-year-old Rita Guerrero stepped out from her door on North Mariposa Street, lively pup Olive barely contained by her leash.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Police quickly contained the situation as around 150 mostly young demonstrators chanted anti-police slogans in a largely calm atmosphere.
    Saskya Vandoorne, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The airport in Cap-Haïtien was calm and orderly, the streets were alive with daily commerce and children in bright yellow uniforms played together during recess.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the decent people who are likely to pay attention to calls for calm and cool aren’t the ones raising the temperature anyway.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Watson and Doubs were both drafted in 2022.
    Rob Reischel, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Which is true, but Mahomes was still the product of evaluation and development — a three-star high school athlete who was not even the first QB drafted that year.
    Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Earlier this month, a federal judge determined that some of the military's actions in support of ICE, including establishing protective perimeters during raids, constituted law enforcement and thus were against the law.
    Alex Horton, Arkansas Online, 14 Sep. 2025
  • At a briefing, Peskov said the matter was outside the presidential administration's purview and declined to speculate on whether the incident constituted a provocation.
    Amanda Castro Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Composed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composed. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

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