unruffled

adjective

un·​ruf·​fled ˌən-ˈrə-fəld How to pronounce unruffled (audio)
1
: poised and serene especially in the face of setbacks or confusion
2
: not ruffled : smooth
unruffled water
Choose the Right Synonym for unruffled

cool, composed, collected, unruffled, imperturbable, nonchalant mean free from agitation or excitement.

cool may imply calmness, deliberateness, or dispassionateness.

kept a cool head

composed implies freedom from agitation as a result of self-discipline or a sedate disposition.

the composed pianist gave a flawless concert

collected implies a concentration of mind that eliminates distractions especially in moments of crisis.

the nurse stayed calm and collected

unruffled suggests apparent serenity and poise in the face of setbacks or in the midst of excitement.

harried but unruffled

imperturbable implies coolness or assurance even under severe provocation.

the speaker remained imperturbable despite the heckling

nonchalant stresses an easy coolness of manner or casualness that suggests indifference or unconcern.

a nonchalant driver

Examples of unruffled in a Sentence

She remained unruffled despite the delays. remained unruffled by the news that stocks were in a free fall
Recent Examples on the Web Athill’s troubles fit the mold of the memoir of suffering, but her unruffled attitude doesn’t. Hillary Kelly, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2024 Dahl’s Wonka is a weird, mysterious character, one whose piercing gaze and unruffled monotone Gene Wilder’s characterization captured so vividly. Sarah Schutte, National Review, 7 Jan. 2024 In the meantime, in the sunshine and under the blue sky, on the banks of the unruffled Potomac River, an osprey circled lazily overhead. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 26 Dec. 2023 Marian would continue to play the serious agnostic to her husband’s unruffled atheist. James Wood, The New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2023 Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, repeatedly asked witnesses if a speech liability shield for online platforms like Facebook and Google also applies to A.I. Mr. Altman, calm and unruffled, tried several times to draw a distinction between A.I. and social media. Cecilia Kang, New York Times, 16 May 2023 Yet, mostly unruffled, pedestrians picked their way around the puddles. Martin Weil, Washington Post, 29 Apr. 2023 There’s never any panic in his game – so calm and unruffled with the puck on his stick. Kyle Woodlief, USA TODAY, 28 June 2023 That doesn’t mean Wall Street was unruffled by the Dominion episode. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 21 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unruffled.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1600, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of unruffled was in 1600

Dictionary Entries Near unruffled

Cite this Entry

“Unruffled.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unruffled. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

unruffled

adjective
un·​ruf·​fled ˌən-ˈrəf-əld How to pronounce unruffled (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not upset or disturbed
a speaker unruffled by noisy children
2
: not ruffled : smooth
unruffled water

More from Merriam-Webster on unruffled

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