Definition of placidnext
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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 The sun set out of view, behind the island, but the placid Caribbean horizon beyond my window offered a contemplative charm all its own. John Bowe, Travel + Leisure, 1 Feb. 2026 That’s in keeping with the album’s overall vibe; even at its most placid, there’s an unsettling undercurrent. Philip Sherburne, Pitchfork, 14 Jan. 2026 Without unbending her back, the mother arranges her mouth into a placid line. Literary Hub, 15 Dec. 2025 As Butker’s kick went through, Steichen looked placid. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for placid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for placid
Adjective
  • Soft, serene greens are everywhere this spring.
    Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Elsewhere are an office, a wine cellar, and a bonus room with a sauna, while the rear courtyard allows residents to spread out along the infinity pool and spa while taking in serene mountain views.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • 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
  • Mayreau Beach Club & Villas stands head and shoulders above the rest as an upscale hideaway perched on a blissfully tranquil bay.
    Carley Rojas Avila, Travel + Leisure, 3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • The Huskies seemed determined to keep Bascoe quiet, bringing double teams to the Villanova point guard that left teammates open on the perimeter, and the gamble played off with the Wildcats shooting just 4-for-20 on 3-pointers in the first half.
    Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Villa Giggione is a quiet perch about three miles from Positano, in Maiori, that feels tailor-made for a couples’ getaway.
    Angela Tafoya, Vogue, 9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • This remote Northland beach on the scenic Karikari Peninsula has clear, calm waters and soft white sand.
    Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
  • The Drawing Room extends into a calm outdoor courtyard fenced off by French doors and covered by a canopy of latticed vines.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • For the most peaceful stretch, head to Opal Beach in Gulf Islands National Seashore, where the shoreline remains undeveloped, and the loudest sound is usually the surf.
    Carrie Honaker, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Residents also enjoy the character of the Devonwood neighborhood itself, where winding roads, wooded views and nearby farmland create a peaceful backdrop for daily life.
    Miriam Schwartz, Hartford Courant, 8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
  • At the same time, his tech-entrepreneur client—a longtime friend who also recently decamped from the West Coast—asked that the 2,063-square-foot bachelor pad function as a refuge: plush, composed, and calm in the middle of the city.
    Ian Volner, Architectural Digest, 26 Feb. 2026
  • And so Ekman-Larsson elevated his game and played some of the most physical and composed hockey of his career as the Leafs stumbled.
    Joshua Kloke, New York Times, 11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • When the music did start, with only two band members in tow (and some occasional backing tracks), that drummer mostly used mallets, and stuck toward accents more than beats, to keep things to the hushed mode she’s known for.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026
  • Her parents’ bedroom still felt a little bit like church, hushed and dark, the air redolent with her mother’s perfume and hair spray, something mustier beneath.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Placid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placid. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.

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