calm 1 of 3

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calm

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noun

calm

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verb

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a calm demeanor
a cool demeanor
a placid demeanor
a tranquil demeanor
a peaceful demeanor
a relaxed demeanor
calm determination
quiet determination
cool determination
stoic determination
placid determination
tranquil determination
calm dignity
quiet dignity
serene dignity
tranquil dignity
placid dignity
gentle dignity
calm wind
gentle wind
soft wind
mild wind
light wind

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
Calm Tech’s certification process One of Calm Tech Institute's primary functions is certifying gadgets as calm tech. ArsTechnica, 22 May 2025 It's also infused with prebiotic oats, which support healthy skin and calm irritations like eczema. Laura Lu, Parents, 22 May 2025
Noun
Tending to plants can promote a sense of calm, and be a break from the intensity of grief. Clarence Schmidt, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025 This obsession with Paltrow’s practices and aesthetic are a direct result of her particular brand of aspirational healthy living, which includes clean eating, natural beauty, and exercise regimens meant to restore balance and inner calm—and which extends into her living spaces as well. Joyce Chen, Architectural Digest, 12 May 2025
Verb
And as the Fever made a late run in Tuesday’s game against Atlanta, Griner helped calm her teammates on the bench and on defense. Ben Pickman, New York Times, 22 May 2025 As her life begins to calm, Hurricane Maríahits Puerto Rico and Jeannette is thrown back into crisis mode. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 22 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for calm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for calm
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
  • At the Cowboy Carter concert at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Thursday (May 15), the serene moment was interrupted — at least for Blue, who realized the earring in her right ear was caught in Beyoncé’s hair.
    Ashley Iasimone, Billboard, 17 May 2025
  • People who responded to the survey said the Morro Bay campsite was serene and dog-friendly, while also being close to town and nature walks.
    Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 17 May 2025
Adjective
  • When they are released, these reports will now reportedly exclude information on issues such as government efforts to deny freedom of movement and peaceful assembly, failures to retain or provide due process for political prisoners, and the harassment of human rights organizations.
    Time, Time, 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
Noun
  • Putin sent a second-tier team of negotiators to the peace talks, spurning Zelenskyy's challenge to meet in person.
    Zac Anderson, USA Today, 19 May 2025
  • The peace talks in Istanbul on May 16 were the first direct negotiations between the two nations since 2022.
    Emma Marsden, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Celebrate this soothing herb with live music, seminars, demos, workshops, farm tours and other activities on the Western Slope.
    Sarah Kuta, Denver Post, 14 May 2025
  • Lighting fixtures are inspired by the Indian tradition of hair oiling, a chair is meant to soothe anxiety and wall art is made of construction materials tied to a childhood memory.
    Anna Kodé, New York Times, 14 May 2025
Verb
  • Wildfire smoke contains very dangerous, tiny pollutants called PM2.5 that can travel deep into the lungs or enter the bloodstream when inhaled.
    Mary Gilbert, CNN Money, 14 May 2025
  • Indeed, data from NASA's Lunar Prospector mission revealed the lunar nearside contains up to 10 times more thorium than lunar farside.
    Sharmila Kuthunur, Space.com, 14 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Calm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/calm. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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