Definition of composednext

composed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of compose
1
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

3
4
as in contained
to gain emotional or mental control of she took a deep breath and composed herself

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Replacement Ryunosuke Ito, plucked from Meiji University, had a composed debut, including laying on a try for Matsunaga, who was five for five off the tee. — ABC News, 4 July 2026 After opening the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, the United States followed it with a composed 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle. — Jon Root Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
Verb
Viet Tan, a pro-democracy group composed of members of the Vietnamese diaspora, published a report in September that documented 20 cases where Vietnamese authorities pursued critics and activists outside its own borders. — Shibani Mahtani, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026 After community outreach and a survey garnering more than 2,600 responses, city staff and a subcommittee composed of four city council members selected Union Plaza as its top recommendation to rename the park. — Jennah Pendleton, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for composed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for composed
Adjective
  • Data brokers legally comb the internet for such information, build profiles using the collected information, and sell those profiles to anyone who’ll pay.
    — Neil J. Rubenking, PC Magazine, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Paired with the Emme play table, this duo creates the kind of collected look that feels professionally layered.
    — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 31 July 2026
Verb
  • Write down its document number, recording date, parties and the name of the person or company that prepared it.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 3 Oct. 2026
  • Van Houten said his decision to not prosecute the case was based on the statement prepared by campus police and signed by the woman.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The rankings considered four factors which comprised the districts’ student racial diversity index, parent/student surveys on culture and diversity, the percent of economically disadvantaged students and gender diversity.
    — Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Home Ministry official Makhzan Mahyuddin was quoted by national Bernama news agency as saying the returnees comprised 1,370 men, 79 women, 20 boys and seven girls, aged between eight and 60.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Strangely enough, they can be calmed by conducting mindfulness exercises.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The advance ended a truce that had been in place since 2022 and had calmed a devastating civil war.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Becerra said that plan contained loopholes that would amount to major tax breaks for millionaires and billionaires.
    — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Dry cat food contained roughly three times more lead than wet or air-dried products.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Alex just keeps calm, and that’s what Pascal does, more or less, throughout the movie.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The captain's uncle, Kishorbhai Machchhar, told ABC News on Friday that the family still cannot believe how Smit managed to stay so calm and focused.
    — Charlotte Gardiner, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Hezonga, drafted fifth overall in 2015, returns to the NBA after nine years overseas.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Under his guidance in 1977, the Padres drafted future Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith in the fourth round.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This constituted an 85% year-over-year increase in economic impact compared to the 2025 show.
    — Paul Grein, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Meanwhile, in England and the United States and across continental Europe, statutes that punished idleness sharpened into vagrancy laws that gave police discretionary power to identify when a form of nonaction constituted criminal disorder.
    — Sophie Landres, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Composed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/composed. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!