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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of placid are calm, peaceful, serene, and tranquil. While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

When is it sensible to use calm instead of placid?

The synonyms calm and placid are sometimes interchangeable, but calm often implies a contrast with a foregoing or nearby state of agitation or violence.

the protests ended, and the streets were calm again

In what contexts can peaceful take the place of placid?

The meanings of peaceful and placid largely overlap; however, peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

When is serene a more appropriate choice than placid?

While the synonyms serene and placid are close in meaning, serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

When can tranquil be used instead of placid?

While in some cases nearly identical to placid, 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 placid Daedone briefly looked stricken, but, even so, a placid smile remained on her face. Thessaly La Force, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2025 The placid waters of lakes and ponds can lull waders and swimmers into a false sense of security. Forrest Brown, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2025 The market shook off the initial shock, and things have been relatively placid since. Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 21 Aug. 2025 This fall, our son will turn one, and while Marvin still doesn’t like Fresh Direct deliveries, his behavior has improved, his demeanor is more placid, and his recall is… well, that part is still quite bad. Mattie Kahn, Vogue, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for placid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for placid
Adjective
  • Monochromatic Raven loves to stick to a simple, serene palette by combining a variety of white tulips with different bloom times.
    Miranda Crowell, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025
  • Poland’s Nazi labyrinth The countryside around the little Polish village of Pniewo looks serene, with its yellow crops and patches of forest, but beneath the surface lies a sprawling 20-mile maze of tunnels, shafts, underground railway stations and combat facilities.
    Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 18 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
  • The Seattle crowd that exploded in the first was quiet.
    Mitch Bannon, New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • The three-bedroom property features quintessentially Scandi details like wide plank flooring and high ceilings, and the balcony comes equipped with sofas for quiet coffees in the morning light.
    Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • De Gea developed it to a degree but was more of an instinctive shot stopper than someone who would marshal the back line and spread calm to those in front of him.
    Mark Critchley, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
  • Benkired, who reportedly appeared mostly calm in court Friday as prosecutors laid out the case against her, could face up to life in prison if convicted, Le Parisien reported.
    Sean Neumann, PEOPLE, 17 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
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
Adjective
  • Many others compared the hushed dessert request to another viral moment where Biggy Norris of the Norris Nuts quietly asked for a caramel slice after surgery.
    Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025
  • Did someone mention Ha’s Snack Bar in a hushed tone?
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Placid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placid. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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