serene

adjective

sə-ˈrēn How to pronounce serene (audio)
Definition of serenenext
1
as in quiet
free from disturbing noise or uproar a serene vacation spot

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in calm
free from emotional or mental agitation a serene woman who was everyone's source of support

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in tranquil
free from storms or physical disturbance a serene lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 These stunning ornamental shrubs showcase flower heads in a dazzling array of colors, including vibrant purples, charming pinks, and serene blues that bloom across various climates. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026 Staying in national park campgrounds offers unparalleled convenience, avoiding crowds, lines and parking while providing prime access to serene mornings, stunning evenings and dark night skies. — Will McGough, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 The project was set for Brownie Wise Park in Kissimmee, a serene 25-acre area purchased and conserved by the county for over a decade and popular for its walking trails. — Natalia Jaramillo, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 June 2026 Completed in 1968 atop a steep hillside in Corte Madera, about 15 miles north of San Francisco, the cantilevered residence is equal parts bold architectural experiment and serene woodland sanctuary. — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for serene
Recent Examples of Synonyms for serene
  1. quiet
  2. calm
  3. tranquil
  4. peaceful
  5. composed
  6. placid
  7. restful
  8. collected
Adjective
  • What was once a quiet corner of the terminal – your reward for loyalty or a hefty annual fee – has turned into a cafeteria for the masses.
    — Christopher Elliott, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • Rather than succumb to the misery of its subject matter, Union County is about the quiet, tedious, and remarkable work that is getting and staying sober — the final product a testament to all that can be achieved.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 1 July 2026
Definition of quiet
Adjective
  • Its weightless-yet-revitalizing feel is thanks to moisturizing squalane, Japanese lemon balm and sunflower seed wax, which calm inflammation, improve the skin barrier, and lock in hydration.
    — Grace Scollo, InStyle, 4 July 2026
  • One of the most consistent findings in stress physiology is that movement can be the fastest route to a calmer nervous system.
    — Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of calm
Adjective
  • 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
  • The tranquil beauty of Virginia’s river life unfolds like a folk melody at this waterfront inn located on a private peninsula.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 June 2026
Definition of tranquil
Adjective
  • City officials have repeatedly said the overwhelming majority of those celebrations have been peaceful.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
  • Rocheport is a historic Missouri River village known for its wineries, walkable downtown, and peaceful small-town atmosphere.
    — Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Travel + Leisure, 2 July 2026
Definition of peaceful
Adjective
  • After opening the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dominant 4-1 win over Paraguay in Los Angeles, the United States followed it with a composed 2-0 victory over Australia in Seattle.
    — Jon Root OutKick, FOXNews.com, 20 June 2026
  • While uniform cubes are suited for an elegant, composed presentation, torn croutons are a humble upgrade for nearly everything else where a little contrast is welcome.
    — Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 18 June 2026
Definition of composed
Adjective
  • The pitch had looked particularly placid on the third day but Roach, Seales and the two Josephs caused the ball to seam and swing Sunday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 28 June 2026
  • The main institutional index of US row-crop land finished up a fraction over the prior year, the kind of placid result that has made farmland a favorite of pension funds looking for calm.
    — Dara-Abasi Ita, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
Definition of placid
Adjective
  • In a separate study, chronic daily users spent significantly more time awake during the night and got less restful sleep compared with nonusers; another study found that using cannabis close to bedtime had similar effects.
    — Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, The Conversation, 11 June 2026
  • Thankfully, my first night in Appalachia consisted only of a restful sleep.
    — Hillary Richard, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026
Definition of restful
Adjective
  • The collected luggage includes roller bags, duffel bags, suitcases and backpacks.
    — Evy Lewis, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2026
  • That changed in 2018, when the Council passed Helen Rosenthal’s bill encouraging New Yorkers to report idling violations by requiring the city to publicize the process and pay them 25% of any collected fines for their efforts.
    — Chris Hartmann, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026
Definition of collected

Browse Nearby Words

serendipity
serene
serenely
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Serene.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/serene. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on serene

Nglish: Translation of serene for Spanish Speakers

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

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

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

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

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
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
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All