sang-froid
Coolness under fire
Sang-froid is composure under pressure—coolness of mind that allows someone to remain calm in difficult or dangerous situations.
The word comes from French for "cold blood" and carries a sense of admirable self-possession: She handled the crisis with remarkable sang-froid.
It suggests not just calm but a certain elegant detachment.
Unshakable mental steadiness
- aplombSelf-assured composure
- self-possessionCalm control of oneself
- imperturbabilityState of being unflappable
- unflappabilityCalm despite turmoil
calmness · coolheadedness · level-headedness · self-control · steadiness · collectedness · presence of mind · poise
Enduring courage under pain
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- impassivityUnresponsiveness to stimuli
- resignationVoluntary relinquishment of position
- acceptanceConsent to receive
forbearance · patience · long-suffering · self-denial · austerity · hardiness · grit · perseverance
Self-assured composure
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- dignityInnate personal worth
- refinementElegance of manner
sophistication · suavity · urbanity · finesse · polish · savoir-faire · panache · élan
Lighthearted lack of concern
- coolnessCalm self-possession
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
- indifferenceLack of interest
- unconcernAbsence of worry
casualness · ease · breeziness · airiness · languor · relaxedness · effortlessness · offhandedness
equanimity
Unshakable mental steadiness
- aplombSelf-assured composure
- self-possessionCalm control of oneself
- imperturbabilityState of being unflappable
unflappability · calmness · coolheadedness · level-headedness · self-control · steadiness · collectedness · presence of mind · poise · serenity
fortitude
Enduring courage under pain
- enduranceSustained effort capacity
- impassivityUnresponsiveness to stimuli
- resignationVoluntary relinquishment of position
acceptance · forbearance · patience · long-suffering · self-denial · austerity · hardiness · grit · perseverance · resolve
aplomb
Self-assured composure
refinement · sophistication · suavity · urbanity · finesse · polish · savoir-faire · panache · élan · tact
insouciance
Lighthearted lack of concern
- coolnessCalm self-possession
- detachmentSeparation or emotional uninvolvement
- indifferenceLack of interest
unconcern · casualness · ease · breeziness · airiness · languor · relaxedness · effortlessness · offhandedness · jauntiness
- French Loanwordsa la carte, ballet, a la mode, au revoir, bon appetit
- composurecalm, calmness, composure, composed, poise
- refinementrefinement, elegance, sophistication, polish, taste
- coldnesscold, chill, freeze, freezing, coolness
sang-froidpanic
Uncontrollable sudden fear
hysteria · losing one's head · alarm · anxiety · agitation
sang-froidexcitability
Proneness to strong reactions
hot-headedness · volatility · emotional instability · tension · histrionics
sang-froidexcitability
Proneness to strong reactions
volatility · hot-headedness · impetuosity · touchiness · irascibility