equanimity

/ˌekwəˈnɪməti/ · ek-wuh-NIM-ih-teenoun

Mental calmness, composure, and emotional balance, especially under stress.

Use equanimity to express this relationship precisely: mental calmness, composure, and emotional balance, especially under stress.

What equanimity Really Means

The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.

1

Core meaning

Mental calmness, composure, and emotional balance, especially under stress.

Example

She received the criticism with remarkable equanimity.

2

Common noun frame

Use this noun in a complete noun phrase, adding the complement that identifies what it refers to when needed.

Example

The pilot maintained equanimity throughout the emergency.

3

Analytical distinction

Choose it when this exact concept matters; a related term may describe its cause, evidence, or opposite instead.

Example

His equanimity helped the group make a careful decision.

Use equanimity Naturally

Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.

She received the criticism with remarkable equanimity.

The pilot maintained equanimity throughout the emergency.

His equanimity helped the group make a careful decision.

Precision Matters

Equanimity overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.

equanimity

Means mental calmness, composure, and emotional balance, especially under stress.

vs.
resilient

Means capable of recovering quickly from difficulty, damage, or change.

equanimity

Means mental calmness, composure, and emotional balance, especially under stress.

vs.
magnanimous

Means generous, forgiving, and noble in spirit, especially toward a rival or defeated opponent.

equanimity

Means mental calmness, composure, and emotional balance, especially under stress.

vs.
complacent

Means excessively self-satisfied or unconcerned, especially about risks or the need to improve.

equanimity

Means mental calmness, composure, and emotional balance, especially under stress.

vs.
intransigent

Means unwilling to change one's views, compromise, or reach agreement.

Test equanimity in Context

She remained mentally calm and composed under pressure.

1

Even when the experiment failed publicly, the researcher responded with ___.

Prepared byFirst Academy
Editorial responsibilityFirst Academy Academic Team
Updated3 August 2026
Selection and reviewRead our methodology