Definition of serenenext
1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of serene are calm, peaceful, placid, and tranquil. While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

When could calm be used to replace serene?

The meanings of calm and serene largely overlap; however, 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 serene?

While the synonyms peaceful and serene are close in meaning, peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

When would placid be a good substitute for serene?

Although the words placid and serene have much in common, placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

When is it sensible to use tranquil instead of serene?

The words tranquil and serene are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 serene The new breakfast and lunch restaurant from Fonda San Miguel owner Tom Gilliland is as beautiful and serene as a four-star Mexican hotel and the empanada — firm but flaky, stuffed with quince jam and edged by baked manchego cheese — was sweet, savory and gooey with a nice touch of umami. Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026 And though she’s got a delinquent spirit, her wise and kindly grandmother, Grandma Tanaka (Karen Huie), teaches her to find transcendence in nature by taking her to a serene forest glade, where the two sit together on a rock and observe the splendors that surround them. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 2 Mar. 2026 On the same floor, Tea Lounge Kafu is a serene tearoom overlooking the bamboo atrium, with seasonally changing scroll art in its tokonoma alcove. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026 Media, influencers swarm Catalina Foothills The once-serene streets of Guthrie's neighborhood just north of Tucson are now filled with journalists, independent live-streamers and influencers. Helen Rummel, AZCentral.com, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for serene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serene
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • With a broad expanse of shallow, placid water, plus playgrounds and picnic tables, Rockport Beach makes an ideal destination for families with kids.
    Pam LeBlanc, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Mar. 2026
  • The placid romance of Hareton and young Catherine leaves us, superficially, in a peaceful, even hopeful place.
    Radhika Jones, New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The cabin space invites campers in not solely by the restful promise of its near-queen-size 198 x 148-cm (78 x 58-in) double bed or the warmth of its diesel heating system, but also by the full entertainment center on the rear wall.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 26 Feb. 2026
  • These geological features provide the small reptiles with hiding spots and surfaces to navigate during their active nighttime hours and restful daytime retreats.
    Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
  • The robot will vacuum oil from the water’s surface, return to its base station to discharge the collected oil, and then redeploy to the spill site.
    Ben Coxworth March 10, New Atlas, 10 Mar. 2026
  • The collected data is then analyzed by an outside statistician before the report is issued.
    Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 25 Feb. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Serene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serene. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on serene

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster