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
  • These quiet temples attract grown-ups hungry for books that preserve our childhood worlds.
    Myriam Gurba, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Stella Parton is opening up about her late sister Dolly Parton's quiet battle with cancer.
    Taijuan Moorman, USA Today, 9 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Related Stories While onstage before his new film bowed on the first night of the serene Colorado festival, Haigh seemed faintly astonished to be there at all.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens Tucked away in a serene corner of West Palm Beach, the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens offer a tranquil escape into art and nature.
    Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The reflecting pools echo with the sound of water cascading into the voids below, which suggests a peaceful replacement for the terror of men and women jumping from the towers.
    Thomas E. Franklin, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Soon, there was another wave of calm and quiet, and the ash that fell from the sky and settled on the grass and trees gave the park the peaceful feel of a light evening snowfall.
    Timothy Townsend, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • The tone continues to be placid, the plunky marimba and steel drum score remains the same, and the performances only grow to feel even more remarkably lived-in as the severity of the situation clicks into place.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Appropriately so, given the placid recent range and the clockwork mechanics of sector rotation and low-correlation restraining index-level volatility.
    Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Expect to see a calm and composed figure in the heart of defence alongside Virgil van Dijk this season; and if Liverpool begin motoring towards the top positions, Jacquet will surely be a big part of it.
    David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Last week, 200 officers from the National Crime Agency and other forces were drafted in to calm tensions.
    The Week UK, TheWeek, 5 Sep. 2026
Adjective
  • Don’t go looking for hushed tones, decorous silence or the other traditions of a sport whose roots exist on the hallowed lawns of polite society.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • The smell of freshly ground espresso and incense fills the air, and staff speak to patients in hushed, discreet tones, almost as if discussing state secrets.
    Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • While the atmosphere at this 400-acre retreat, 22 miles northeast of downtown Tucson, feels grounding and restful, behind the scenes, Miraval is in constant motion.
    Jessica Ritz, Travel + Leisure, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Tart cherries are also rich in anthocyanins, plant compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce muscle soreness and support more restful sleep.
    Kathleen Ferraro, Verywell Health, 17 Aug. 2026
Adjective
  • Each component is prepared separately, allowing the individual flavors and textures to shine before coming together in a balanced, composed bowl.
    Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 8 Sep. 2026
  • Wrexham’s more direct approach, particularly when defenders Cleworth and Callum Doyle were picking out wing-backs Danny Imray and Ryan Longman with raking 50-yard deliveries, would have paid dividends with more composed finishing.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Tranquil.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/tranquil. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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