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
Smart, grounded, and self-possessed (not to mention the closest AJLT got to middle-class representation), Pittman’s Nya made more sense as part of the ensemble.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 28 May 2025
And if ‘Robot & Frank’ director Jake Schreier’s Marvel debut is among the best and most self-possessed of these movies since Thanos snapped the mega-franchise half, its pleasures still feel like faint echoes of the series’ previous highs.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 May 2025
His early writing—often brilliant and, given his youth, boldly self-possessed, sometimes to a fault—is driven by certainty.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Authentic Storytelling Without Compromise In discussing her role as a Brighton Beach stripper who spontaneously marries a rich, young Russian client yet remains self-possessed, Madison shared that her uncompromising authenticity got her the part.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
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
Judy Berman, Time, 28 May 2025
And if ‘Robot & Frank’ director Jake Schreier’s Marvel debut is among the best and most self-possessed of these movies since Thanos snapped the mega-franchise half, its pleasures still feel like faint echoes of the series’ previous highs.
—Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 5 May 2025
His early writing—often brilliant and, given his youth, boldly self-possessed, sometimes to a fault—is driven by certainty.
—Jeffrey Weiss, Artforum, 1 May 2025
Authentic Storytelling Without Compromise In discussing her role as a Brighton Beach stripper who spontaneously marries a rich, young Russian client yet remains self-possessed, Madison shared that her uncompromising authenticity got her the part.
—Gemma Allen, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-possessed
Adjective
-
Few clubs can match Newcastle for its success rate with player arrivals, and that comes from being calm and patient.—
Harry De Cosemo,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2025
-
Prevent chemical drift onto non-target areas by applying herbicide only when the wind is calm; avoid application when the daytime temperature is above 80°F.—
Megan Hughes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 June 2025
Adjective
-
Thank goodness the architects of the serene Richelieu wing of the Louvre understood that the most elegant way to experience the outdoors is from inside.—
Caity Weaver,
The Atlantic,
5 June 2025
-
The outdoor kitchen sits beside a serene pool, which has the sense of dropping off into the greenery.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Iran says its uranium enrichment program is for peaceful purposes.—
Rebecca Rosman,
NPR,
14 June 2025
-
Trump wants to suppress peaceful protest and send a message that opposing him means facing the military in the streets.—
State Rep. Matt Blumenthal,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
McIlroy looked composed and steady at 2-under through nine.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
13 June 2025
-
De Armas doesn’t make the mistake of looking too composed, or making the vigorous smackdowns look effortless.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
The tegu fossil was one of the collected specimens and was transported back to the museum in a box that sat in storage, unidentified for twenty years.—
Stephanie Edwards,
Discover Magazine,
13 May 2025
-
The federal agency found that companies were working with third-party firms to process the collected customer data and tweak prices accordingly.—
Karen Garcia,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
The film follows two priests — one questioning his faith (Dan Stevens) and one reckoning with a troubled past (Al Pacino), who must put aside their differences to save a possessed young woman through a difficult and dangerous series of exorcisms.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
6 June 2025
-
After taking a couple episodes to establish its premise, there’s a procedural rhythm to Hub’s hunting expeditions, tracking targets from a possessed priest to a Satanic cheerleader.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Located on the ninth floor of the luxurious five-star Times Square Edition, The Terrace and Outdoor Gardens transports diners to a tranquil paradise.—
Emma Kershaw,
Forbes.com,
12 June 2025
-
Bring a group for a tranquil picnic by the lake at the pavilion.—
Dalia Faheid,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Self-possessed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-possessed. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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