calm 1 of 3

Definition of calmnext
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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

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

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
Inventory is still tight, with fewer listings coming online as many sellers wait for calmer conditions and clearer economic signals. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2026 Conditions are expected to be calmer for most of the country by Easter Sunday. Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
Quiet rooms for reflection and preparation offer clients a moment of calm within a demanding process. Nia Bowers, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026 His control of calm is just what’s needed for a New York library. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 1 Apr. 2026
Verb
Turn your porch into a calming oasis with twinkling fairy lights, or upgrade your front yard with in-ground pathway lighting or solar sconces. Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 9 Apr. 2026 Yesterday, the market showed you what’s worth owning when things calm down. Jim Cramer, CNBC, 9 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for calm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calm
Adjective
  • Maybe quiet parenting, like quiet quitting and quiet luxury before it, could catch on as a meme among key influencers.
    Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
  • Dan Campbell said the quiet part out loud, a bit unprompted, when asked about his confidence level in potentially moving star right tackle Penei Sewell to left tackle.
    Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • 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, 9 Apr. 2026
  • Set upon a four-acre estate with a large pool and serene pond, the property takes inspiration form an English country house.
    Bailey Berg, Architectural Digest, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • While there seems to have been a relatively peaceful dynamic inside the SAG-AFTRA building over the past few weeks, the same cannot be said for things outside on Wilshire Blvd where the WGA West‘s staff has been picketing the writers’ negotiations amid a seven-week strike.
    Katie Campione, Deadline, 4 Apr. 2026
  • The ranch-style retreat backs up to the Wekiva River, offering a peaceful, scenic escape.
    Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The proof was in my Oura ring sleep score—96% and optimal restfulness.
    Brianna Peters, Vogue, 28 Mar. 2026
  • But restfulness dropped—my body noticed the break.
    Marisa McMillan, Outside, 29 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Signaling progress in the peace talks, Axios reported that Washington and Tehran were engaged in discussions mediated by some Gulf states for a potential 45-day ceasefire that could end the conflict, although the odds for reaching a partial deal before the Tuesday deadline were slim.
    Anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 Apr. 2026
  • His 16-year grip on power has tested the EU system of governance meant to ensure peace through economic and political integration after the ravages of the world wars.
    ABC News, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In a sea of gray-toned suits and uniforms, the woman trying to soothe her crying baby comes across as an outlier even before a belligerent young salaryman starts screaming at her for disturbing the peace.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Water is one of the best inclusions to have in a hardscape plan for its soothing sound that also improves the air quality by releasing negative ions in the air that decreases pollutants.
    Ashlyn Needham, Southern Living, 7 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Such comments did little to stop the speculation, despite his contract at Atletico running to 2030 and containing a €500million (£436m; $577m) release clause.
    Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Testing revealed that one of the devices deployed contained triacetone triperoxide, known as TATP.
    Alexa Herrera, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Turning onto shady Little Road felt instantly tranquil.
    Christopher Spata, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026
  • That earlier film, a languid, unsettling thriller, focused on its protagonist’s emotional breakdown during a supposedly tranquil Mediterranean vacation.
    David Sims, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Calm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calm. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.

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