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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of serene are calm, peaceful, placid, and tranquil. While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

When could calm be used to replace serene?

The meanings of calm and serene largely overlap; 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 is peaceful a more appropriate choice than serene?

While the synonyms peaceful and serene are close in meaning, peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

When would placid be a good substitute for serene?

Although the words placid and serene have much in common, placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

When is it sensible to use tranquil instead of serene?

The words tranquil and serene are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 serene Out of the midst of this thunder and turmoil and tempest rose Dr. Otto Lecher, serene and collected. Don Delillo, Harpers Magazine, 5 May 2025 Waldorf Astoria Orlando Set amid a lush nature preserve and conveniently just minutes from Walt Disney World, Four-Star Waldorf Astoria Orlando offers a serene counterpoint to the region’s theme park frenzy. Katie Lara, Forbes.com, 13 May 2025 By the next afternoon, the art crowd had decamped and Hydra returned to its serene summer pace, with other low-key art sites revealing themselves like sculptural rocks at low tide. Tony Perrottet, Travel + Leisure, 13 May 2025 While home to less than 2,000 students, the campus, called the Domain, spans 13,000 acres, much of it still wild and undeveloped, and the areas where college life unfolds are dotted with Gothic Revival architecture; take it all in with a serene stroll. Jennifer Stewart Kornegay, Southern Living, 10 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for serene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serene
Adjective
  • Until this point, Gilgeous-Alexander has displayed a quiet form of leadership during his NBA career.
    Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
  • Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Illinois Set in the quiet prairie lands south of Chicago, this cemetery is one of the largest in the Midwest.
    Staff report, Hartford Courant, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • Considered one of the state’s best beach towns, Biloxi is known for its picturesque sand and calm waters that are protected by barrier islands just south of the beach in the Gulf of Mexico.
    Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 23 May 2025
  • It's also infused with prebiotic oats, which support healthy skin and calm irritations like eczema.
    Laura Lu, Parents, 22 May 2025
Adjective
  • At Lewis Vaughn Botanical Garden, a tranquil 1.5-acre oasis in the heart of the historic downtown, visitors will find a pond with koi and many examples of Georgia Piedmont plants.
    Nicole Letts, Southern Living, 20 May 2025
  • In its path, a group of longtime neighbors live in a tranquil enclave of homes.
    Jennifer Berry Hawes, ProPublica, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Nearby, at Hatta Dam, rent a kayak and enjoy a peaceful few hours on the quiet waters, surrounded by dramatic peaks.
    Natasha Amar, Forbes.com, 21 May 2025
  • Before our appointment at Osmosis Day Spa Sanctuary, a peaceful retreat off the Bodega Highway in West Sonoma county, a friend and I popped into a nearby gift shop.
    Alyssa Bereznak, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2025
Adjective
  • The Mexican side looked more composed in the second half, creating more scoring opportunities, especially after Sarah Luebbert (former Chicago Red Stars and University of Missouri standout) came on as a substitute and threatened Gotham’s defense.
    Tamerra Griffin, New York Times, 21 May 2025
  • Today Diddy seemed more composed, though how long that will last is TBD.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 16 May 2025
Adjective
  • This public beach is surrounded by water on all sides and features a cove with placid waters that are great for wading.
    Tykesha Spivey Burton, Southern Living, 4 May 2025
  • The Dalarna region is Sweden at its best, with dense forests speckling the landscape, a web of foot trails, dramatic waterfalls, gentle slopes for hiking and skiing, and placid lakes, including one of the country’s largest, Lake Siljan.
    Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025
Adjective
  • Bone broth can be consumed at any time of day—morning, afternoon, or evening—depending on your needs and goals, such as in the morning to boost energy, before or after a workout for hydration and fuel for muscles, or in the evening for restful sleep.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 28 May 2025
  • Create an optimal sleep environment: Use blackout curtains, wear an eye mask, run a white noise machine and avoid electronic devices before bed to ensure restful sleep during daylight hours.
    Marco Buscaglia, Boston Herald, 19 May 2025
Adjective
  • Analysis of collected data is expected to be complete within 60 days of the tests' conclusion.
    Doug Thompson, Arkansas Online, 2 May 2025
  • The federal agency found that companies were working with third-party firms to process the collected customer data and tweak prices accordingly.
    Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Serene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serene. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.

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