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calm

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noun

calm

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word calm different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of calm are peaceful, placid, serene, and tranquil. While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence.

the protests ended, and the streets were calm again

When is peaceful a more appropriate choice than calm?

In some situations, the words peaceful and calm are roughly equivalent. However, peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

When might placid be a better fit than calm?

The words placid and calm can be used in similar contexts, but placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

When would serene be a good substitute for calm?

Although the words serene and calm have much in common, serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

When can tranquil be used instead of calm?

The synonyms tranquil and calm are sometimes interchangeable, but tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure.

the tranquil beauty of a formal garden

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of calm
Adjective
Maybe everyone should just have a marmalade sandwich and calm down. Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 10 Oct. 2025 Drawing on cultural wisdom and modern wellness practices, Thomas provides tools for creating a home filled with calm, intention, joy, and peace. Lynnette Nicholas, Essence, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
This alcove is drenched in a rich shade of deep blue paint that imparts a sense of calm without feeling heavy or dark. Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Oct. 2025 But since then, protests have been mostly peaceful, and residents have attested to the calm. Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
The same oatmeal color is seen here is also available in a few other calming colors like clean white or olive green. Blake Bakkila, Architectural Digest, 7 Oct. 2025 Clear info calms the nerves and gets people ready to party. Elle Chan, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for calm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calm
Adjective
  • Hours after the deal’s announcement, videos posted on social media by correspondents and Unicef spokesperson James Elder in Gaza showed a relatively quiet night sky, a rare occurrence in an enclave that has faced incessant bombardments for just over two years.
    Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
  • When Venus journeys through Virgo, affection looks like cooking a meal for someone, fixing what’s broken or showing up in quiet, consistent ways.
    Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Choose only a handful of intentional accents—preferably some that can serve as organizers, like a pretty apothecary jar for cotton rounds or a decorative tray for daily essentials and remove the unnecessary items to keep your space serene.
    Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Enjoy the delicious teas and serene private patios overlooking the greenery at this serene space that's just a short drive away from Kaziranga.
    Marion Miller, Travel + Leisure, 10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Udine, Italy Reuters — Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched Tuesday in the northern Italian city of Udine before Italy’s World Cup soccer qualifier against Israel, concluding their mostly peaceful protest with clashes involving police.
    CNN Money, CNN Money, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Both animals were pictured with their eyes closed, in a deep, peaceful snooze together.
    Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • But the patient, grinding work of peace implementation typically bores him.
    Bobby Ghosh, Time, 14 Oct. 2025
  • Many obstacles remain to a lasting peace — including whether Israel will pull its military entirely out of Gaza, whether Hamas will disarm and who will govern Gaza — but the peace plan may already be shifting the debate around calls to ban and boycott culture coming out of Israel.
    Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Most sprays are made with 20 to 35% of this magnesium chloride solution, and some formulators may include humectants like glycerin and other soothing agents to offset the dryness and stickiness that the magnesium oil might have.
    Audrey Noble, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The production, which toured the country, made its debut just after the Civil War, when its pastoral setting and evocation of the Founding may have soothed audiences still scarred by sectional conflict.
    John Swansburg, The Atlantic, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The following contains light spoilers for the Season 3 premiere of Elsbeth.
    Scarlett Harris, Time, 13 Oct. 2025
  • State regulators ultimately denied Gershman and Citimark a permit to encroach on the portion of the development containing wetland, but warehouse construction is proceeding on the remaining parts of the 150-acre development.
    IndyStar, IndyStar, 13 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • The tranquil, upscale neighborhood of Pacific Palisades was devastated by the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles County in January, destroying thousands of structures—including the home of celebrities such as Jeff Bridges, Paris Hilton, and Billy Crystal.
    Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Sep. 2025
  • Out-of-towners were enjoying the warm weather and music on an outdoor deck at the American Fish Company in Southport, a small and tranquil city near the mouth of the Cape Fear River, when gunshots rang out.
    Zoe Sottile, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Only on particularly bumpy tarmac did the GTS-spec suspension become too jarring with the adaptive dampers stiffened up in sport mode, but switching them to normal offered the best of both worlds—excellent, composed body control and tuning that ironed out imperfections remarkably well.
    Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The vocabulary being used by Qatar’s prime minister is strong, evocative and damning, a departure from his usual composed response to the incessant twists and turns of trying to end the 23-month war in Gaza.
    Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Calm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calm. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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