Aplomb
What it means
Calm confidence and self-control in a difficult or unexpected situation.
Reach for it when praising composed performance when pressure was visible
Soraya handled the unexpected questions with impressive aplomb.
Words to choose between 7
| playful | |
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| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal |
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| literary |
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playful
coolness
Fits when unruffled manner suits an informal account
Careful Coolness may imply emotional distance and sounds flippant in dignified praise.
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everyday
Fits when belief in ability or judgment is the main quality
Careful Confidence can be loud, private, or misplaced and need not look composed.
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warm
Fits when graceful readiness and social control are most visible
Careful Poise emphasizes presentation and may exist without inner confidence.
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professional
Fits when emotional steadiness under pressure is the evidence
Careful Composure can be quiet containment without aplomb's confident ease.
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formal
Fits when calm self-confidence shapes the person's manner
Careful Assurance also names a promise to someone else, unlike aplomb's poised conduct.
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formal
self-possession
Fits when control of one's reactions deserves precise elevated wording
Careful Self-possession is conspicuous and lacks aplomb's hint of stylish ease.
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literary
Fits when evenness of mind persists through changing fortune
Careful Equanimity is inward calm and may not produce decisive performance.
Opposites 3
- panic
- awkwardness
- discomposure
Common phrases 3
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with aplomb
She answered the hostile question with aplomb.
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considerable aplomb
The understudy carried the leading role with considerable aplomb.
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handle with aplomb
Experienced guides handle sudden route changes with aplomb.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Naomi Persephone Amethyst, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated