Definition of tranquilnext
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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of tranquil are calm, peaceful, placid, and serene. While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure.

the tranquil beauty of a formal garden

When is it sensible to use calm instead of tranquil?

In some situations, the words calm and tranquil are roughly equivalent. 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 could peaceful be used to replace tranquil?

The synonyms peaceful and tranquil are sometimes interchangeable, but peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

When can placid be used instead of tranquil?

The meanings of placid and tranquil largely overlap; however, placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

When is serene a more appropriate choice than tranquil?

The words serene and tranquil are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

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 tranquil Just around the corner from the rally on Tajrish Square, in a tranquil park near the Cinema Museum of Iran, locals perused an open-air book stall and sipped tea, while couples strolled hand in hand. — Matthew Chance, CNN Money, 18 May 2026 Lucy is very isolated in this superficially tranquil domestic setting, separated from friends, far from her mother, dependent on Philip, and not even entirely fluent in German. — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 15 May 2026 Turning onto shady Little Road felt instantly tranquil. — Christopher Spata, The Orlando Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for tranquil
Recent Examples of Synonyms for tranquil
Adjective
  • Residents enjoy a Jack Nicklaus Signature 18-hole golf course, miles of hiking and biking trails, tennis and pickleball courts, and endless opportunities on Lake Keowee, including boating, swimming, or simply quiet moments on the water.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 12 Oct. 2026
  • His wife Ajin, 32, sets out to win compensation but runs into a system that thrives on exploiting people and keeping them quiet.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Interiors are serene, sophisticated and incredibly spacious with vaulted ceilings, oversized beds and vast bathrooms with freestanding bathtubs.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • The hotel itself is perched on the edge of the mountainous Arashiyama forest, a verdant expanse with a profound, serene quiet that seems to wrap around the entire property.
    — Noah Kaufman, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The majority of protesters have been peaceful, but violence on the fringes is having an impact, with a daily menu of fireworks thrown at police and volleys of tear gas fired at high school pupils.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Anger boiling over While many of the latest demonstrations have been peaceful, anger has boiled over.
    — Colette Davidson, Christian Science Monitor, 13 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • But inside the tiny shop at the western end of Atlantic Avenue, just steps from an on-ramp for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, things are placid and drama-free.
    — CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Things are more placid now—in 1929, the estate became Longshore Beach and Country Club, which was acquired by the town of Westport in 1960.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Clear skies and calm winds will help temperatures drop into the mid- to upper 30s by early Saturday, forecasters said.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Methanol masers have previously been detected in planet-forming disks around turbulent high-mass protostars, but COMPASS’ observations are the first detection of them around calmer lower-mass protostars.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Set the scene Despite being just a stone’s throw from Oxford Street, the hotel has a hushed air and a seriously exclusive crowd.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • In other words, get ready to read a lot and yet, surprisingly, to enjoy the immersion, as one might the hushed thrill of a surveillance sequence.
    — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • The serene, restful rooms all have private balconies with Hill Country views.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Approved by frequent travelers, this portable device will effectively set your mind at ease when attempting to enjoy a restful vacation away from potential threats and unknown cameras.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 30 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The British singer, 27, composed and co-wrote the lyrics with Bastian Langebæk and Max Wolfgang, according to the song credits on Spotify.
    — Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The Emma style, a more composed and sensible block-heel pump, is for Elinor (Edgar-Jones).
    — Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tranquil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tranquil. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

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