Synonyms of placid

placid 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpla-səd 

1

as in serene

free from emotional or mental agitation

an exceptionally placid mother who was rarely upset by her six children

Synonyms & Similar Words

• serene
• calm
• peaceful
• composed
• tranquil
• collected
• smooth
• unruffled
• sedate
• unperturbed
• undisturbed
• untroubled
• limpid
• steady
• possessed
• unworried
• confident
• unshaken
• at peace
• level
• cool
• mellow
• recollected
• self-possessed
• together
• relaxed
• centered
• equal
• nonchalant
• coolheaded
• self-composed
• relieved
• imperturbable
• equable
• unflappable
• detached
• well-balanced
• unshakable
• carefree
• easygoing
• aloof
• nerveless
• affable
• even-keeled
• unconcerned
• phlegmatic
• dispassionate
• breezy
• well-adjusted
• impassive
• stolid
• even
• indifferent
• disciplined
• laid-back
• sober
• tranquilized
• bovine
• self-contained
• assured
• happy-go-lucky
• self-controlled
• self-assured
• loosey-goosey
• devil-may-care

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agitated
• disturbed
• perturbed
• upset
• anxious
• uneasy
• unsettled
• unstrung
• distressed
• unquiet
• restless
• nervous
• bothered
• worried
• tense
• discomposed
• flustered
• unhinged
• jittery
• jumpy
• skittish
• unstable
• unglued
• uptight
• high-strung

2

as in tranquil

free from storms or physical disturbance

a placid lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tranquil
• serene
• quiet
• peaceful
• calm
• hushed
• still
• untroubled
• gentle
• sunny
• halcyon
• mild
• temperate
• equable
• clear
• lown
• stilly
• balmy
• moderate
• clement
• cloudless
• windless
• sunshiny
• rainless
• fair

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• turbulent
• angry
• restless
• stormy
• unsettled
• rough
• agitated
• tempestuous
• unquiet
• inclement
• windy
• blustery
• extreme
• severe
• intemperate
• foul
• nasty
• squally
• blizzardy

3

as in quiet

free from disturbing noise or uproar

a vacation in the placid lake community

Synonyms & Similar Words

• quiet
• peaceful
• serene
• calm
• tranquil
• restful
• hushed
• quieted
• silent
• still
• arcadian
• stilly
• noiseless
• motionless
• soft
• soundless
• mute
• quiescent
• gentle
• wordless
• speechless
• muted
• muffled
• dull
• dead
• low
• ultraquiet

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• boisterous
• loud
• noisy
• raucous
• tumultuous
• rowdy
• woolly
• unquiet
• clamorous
• uproarious
• deafening
• roistering
• romping
• wild
• tempestuous
• crazy
• clattery
• rip-roaring
• thunderous
• booming
• thundering
• roaring
• earsplitting
• piercing
• blasting
• blaring

placidity

2 of 2

noun

1

as in restfulness

a state of freedom from storm or disturbance

the placidity of the area makes it a perfect vacation spot for people who just want to relax

Synonyms & Similar Words

• restfulness
• serenity
• sereneness
• quietness
• quiet
• calm
• calmness
• quietude
• tranquility
• peacefulness
• silence
• stillness
• peace
• hush
• still
• lull
• repose
• respite
• pause
• harmony
• casualness
• concord
• comity
• informality
• mildness
• relaxedness
• soothingness
• easygoingness
• laid-backness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unrest
• turmoil
• bustle
• tumult
• commotion
• hubbub
• pandemonium
• uproar
• noise
• hurly-burly
• clamor
• unquietness
• din
• racket

2

as in composure

evenness of emotions or temper

his evident lack of placidity makes him poorly suited for such a stressful job

Synonyms & Similar Words

• composure
• calmness
• equanimity
• imperturbability
• collectedness
• serenity
• equilibrium
• coolness
• sangfroid
• tranquility
• self-possession
• countenance
• aplomb
• repose
• tranquilness
• composedness
• confidence
• assurance
• cool
• self-composedness
• self-assurance
• poise
• self-confidence
• indifference
• impassivity
• self-assuredness
• unconcern
• numbness
• apathy
• detachment
• self-trust
• insensibility
• easygoingness
• phlegm
• laid-backness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• agitation
• perturbation
• anxiety
• concern
• uneasiness
• discomposure
• care
• solicitude
• apprehension
• disquiet
• alarm
• worry
• nervousness
• excitability
• apprehensiveness
• anxiousness
• disturbance
• excitableness

3

as in peacefulness

freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

her apparent placidity belied an inner turmoil as she faced a life-altering decision

Synonyms & Similar Words

• peacefulness
• peace
• serenity
• ease
• calm
• sereneness
• calmness
• tranquility
• contentment
• heartsease
• comfort
• relief
• quietude
• content
• solace
• consolation
• quiet
• repose

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• anxiety
• agitation
• anguish
• uneasiness
• apprehension
• concern
• vexation
• alarm
• perturbation
• tension
• care
• worry
• stress
• strain
• disturbance
• apprehensiveness
• distress
• anxiousness
• discomfort
• nervousness
• desperation
• consternation
• fear
• dismay
• tenseness
• distraction
• uncertainty
• torment
• discomposure
• doubt
• upset
• suspense
• jumpiness
• edginess
• dread
• desperateness
• jitters
• foreboding
• fearfulness
• misgiving
• incertitude
• presentiment

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

Recent Examples of placid

Adjective

Maheu and Perreault-Magny tied up briefly in the middle of the placid river with officers from the Akwesasne nation, a Tim Hortons coffee cup riding shotgun on their console. — Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 29 July 2026

An upper Midwest lake house often conjures images of a cozy cabin with knotty pine paneling, a fieldstone fireplace, and a dock stretching into the placid water. — Tori Latham, Robb Report, 13 July 2026

Noun

What comes through most vividly is the sense of forced placidity, the assembly-line-like control over life and activity this country club comes to represent. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2026

Season 2 drops that air of placidity and adds spice, genuine horror and feeling to the proceedings. — Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 6 Aug. 2025

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