placid

adjective

ˈpla-səd How to pronounce placid (audio)
Definition of placidnext
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tranquil
free from storms or physical disturbance a placid lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in quiet
free from disturbing noise or uproar a vacation in the placid lake community

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 placid 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 In that, the vinyl panel turns the 18th-century style on its head, becoming a subversive counterweight to its typically placid, pastoral energy. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 30 Sep. 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for placid
Recent Examples of Synonyms for placid
  1. serene
  2. tranquil
  3. quiet
  4. calm
  5. peaceful
  6. composed
  7. hushed
Adjective
  • 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
  • On the bottom level, a soundproof movie theater and 1,000-bottle wine cellar join a wellness wing with a gym, sauna, and serene rock waterfall.
    — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of serene
Adjective
  • Bedrooms are tranquil and restorative, with clean lines, balconies, and mountain views that create a sense of space.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 July 2026
  • Located right across the water from Miami, Key Biscayne is filled with tranquil experiences in nature, delicious dining options with incredible views of the water, and even a little bit of history to explore.
    — Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 13 June 2026
Definition of tranquil
Adjective
  • After a quiet day otherwise, Riley exploded for 33- and 72-yard rushing touchdowns to finish as the game’s leading rusher with 128 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 25 Oct. 2026
  • But following intense backlash to the 2024 anti-war protests, some students, faculty and external observers say campuses have become uncharacteristically quiet.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 25 Oct. 2026
Definition of quiet
Adjective
  • This week, curfews were imposed in some cities to help maintain calm.
    — Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026
  • There’s also a level of anxiety about potential confrontations at the polls, but so far, local elections officials say things are calm.
    — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of calm
Adjective
  • But this month, the most violent demonstrations in years — and tough policing — have raised concern about riots overshadowing hundreds of thousands of peaceful demonstrators marching against rising living costs and poor conditions in schools.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • As for the suites, the highlight is their private terraces, peaceful havens from which to admire, paradoxically, the urban whirlwind swirling below.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of peaceful
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
Definition of composed
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
Definition of hushed

Browse Nearby Words

place settings
placid
placidity
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP

Cite this Entry

“Placid.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/placid. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of grotesque

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All