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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of tranquil are calm, peaceful, placid, and serene. While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure.

the tranquil beauty of a formal garden

When is it sensible to use calm instead of tranquil?

In some situations, the words calm and tranquil are roughly equivalent. However, 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 could peaceful be used to replace tranquil?

The synonyms peaceful and tranquil are sometimes interchangeable, but peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

When can placid be used instead of tranquil?

The meanings of placid and tranquil largely overlap; however, placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

When is serene a more appropriate choice than tranquil?

The words serene and tranquil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

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 tranquil Lush forests give way to magnificent mountains and tranquil enclaves. Holly Yan, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2025 For a touch of tranquil nature in a small kitchen, Sherwin-Williams Jogging Path offers both warmth and a tiny hint of green. Heather Bien, Southern Living, 8 Aug. 2025 On the evening of July 10, dozens of friends and family members gathered at the spot in the tranquil Cincinnati suburb where Jaymir was found after the shooting. Gillian Stawiszynski, The Enquirer, 10 July 2025 Working with residential and commercial clients, Hino Studio devises spaces that feel airy and modern, incorporating tranquil color palettes, lush textures, and natural materials. Dan Howarth, Architectural Digest, 7 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for tranquil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tranquil
Adjective
  • On highways and surface roads in the rural countryside west of Detroit, the 2025 Ford Explorer was smooth and quiet, with plenty of power for highway acceleration.
    Mark Phelan, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025
  • The peak of hurricane season is here, and activity could soon ramp up, despite the relative quiet currently occurring in the tropics, according to meteorologists.
    Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Lakes offer a different rhythm — more serene but just as active.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Along the mostly untouched northern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula sits serene Sisal, a peaceful beach destination bringing increasingly more visitors to the region.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • John Mariani Inside the walls the Piazza Giuseppe Garibaldi is a peaceful square whose surrounding buildings with their green shutters echo the various architectural styles of the city’s history.
    John Mariani, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Police watched the Capitol lawn from atop a nearby parking garage, but the event was peaceful.
    Paul Egan, Freep.com, 15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Though many visitors to Scotland seek out hiking and walking trails far from the buzzing big cities, in fact, Glasgow and Edinburgh are replete with placid and picturesque green spaces.
    Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Daedone briefly looked stricken, but, even so, a placid smile remained on her face.
    Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • The airport in Cap-Haïtien was calm and orderly, the streets were alive with daily commerce and children in bright yellow uniforms played together during recess.
    Footwear News, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, the decent people who are likely to pay attention to calls for calm and cool aren’t the ones raising the temperature anyway.
    Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Did someone mention Ha’s Snack Bar in a hushed tone?
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In Los Angeles, the tapes revealed insiders cutting deals in hushed tones.
    Matt Klink, Oc Register, 6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Minimize alcohol ahead of your bedtime to promote a more restful sleep.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2025
  • But its night wouldn’t be restful.
    Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • Remember, significant wealth can be created in the market by those who maintain a composed and strategic approach during times of volatility.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Tranquil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tranquil. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on tranquil

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