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
  • Nothing is revealed, exactly, but the shift in perspective is enough to make the quiet room strange.
    — Kristian Vistrup Madsen, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
  • And still, even with all this sound, the apartment felt quiet.
    — Téa Obreht, New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • The Gilded Age would generally prefer that nothing disrupt the basic contours of its serene status quo, where ladies in hats sit in drawing rooms and deliver smiling rebukes of one another’s decor.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2026
  • On his latest solo album, the Tonstartssbandht guitarist/vocalist crafts a serene, psychedelic opus that invites us to become immersed.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Look out for the odd duck bobbing past while enjoying a private breakfast on the balcony, or a peaceful after-dark nightcap.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The protests were peaceful during the period Deadline observed the demonstration, while store customers — many dressed in Hogwarts house scarves — appeared to still be enjoying their experience.
    — Jake Kanter, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • But this is such a placid group that there’s no real tension between the female guards and the male inmates, and therefore no new insights raised about how complicated a woman’s role in this power dynamic could be.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
  • Despite appearances, sand tiger sharks are a placid species that don’t pose a threat to humans.
    — Asia London Palomba, Christian Science Monitor, 20 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • Thanks to its position on the western side of the island, the water is quite calm, even during the windier months.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Winds are calm, becoming east-northeast around 5 mph in the afternoon.
    — Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2026
Adjective
  • There’s a delicacy to Sebastián, a hushed fearfulness, that sets him apart from his new comrades.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026
  • 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
Adjective
  • Certain fruits provide compounds and nutritional benefits that aid in a more restful night.
    — Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Since turning forty, achieving restful sleep felt so often like too much work.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
Adjective
  • In a city crowded with glossy international properties, this is classic, composed and home-grown, with real cultural depth—one half looking confidently to the future, the other carefully honouring its design legacy.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Tranquil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tranquil. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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