Skip to content
GREMockTests
GRE vocabulary

aplomb

nounHigh-frequency wordMore A words

self-confidence and poise in difficult situations

Word origin: From French aplomb, perpendicularity or steadiness (a plomb according to the plumb line).

In a sentence

Aplomb in a sentence

Here are example sentences showing aplomb in a sentence.

She handled the hostile questions with remarkable aplomb.

She fielded the hostile questions with such aplomb that the panel's skepticism quickly faded.

Synonyms
poisecomposureassurance
Antonyms
nervousnessawkwardnesspanic
Usage & nuance

Using “aplomb” well

Aplomb denotes calm self-assurance under pressure, with a positive connotation of graceful composure. It implies poise specifically in difficult or testing moments.

Common questions

Questions about “aplomb

Aplomb (noun) means self-confidence and poise in difficult situations
Here is aplomb used in an example sentence: "She handled the hostile questions with remarkable aplomb." Another example: "She fielded the hostile questions with such aplomb that the panel's skepticism quickly faded."
Common synonyms for aplomb include poise, composure, assurance.
Antonyms of aplomb include nervousness, awkwardness, panic.
Aplomb clusters with poise, composure, and assurance in Sentence Equivalence. Its antonyms nervousness, awkwardness, and panic mark the loss of self-possession a passage may contrast against it.
Yes. Aplomb is a high-frequency GRE word, so it is worth prioritising as you build your vocabulary.

Learn words the way the GRE tests them.

Vocabulary sticks when you meet it in real sentences. Practise these words inside text completion and sentence equivalence questions.