PEACEFUL Synonyms: 235 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'peaceful' different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of peaceful are calm , placid , serene , and tranquil . While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil. // grown peaceful in old age

Q: In what contexts can 'calm' take the place of 'peaceful'?

The synonyms calm and peaceful 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

Q: When could 'placid' be used to replace 'peaceful'?

In some situations, the words placid and peaceful are roughly equivalent. However, placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency. // remained placid despite the criticism

Q: When would 'serene' be a good substitute for 'peaceful'?

The words serene and peaceful can be used in similar contexts, but serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility. // watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

Q: When can 'tranquil' be used instead of 'peaceful'?

Although the words tranquil and peaceful have much in common, tranquil suggests a very deep quietude or composure. // the tranquil beauty of a formal garden

peaceful

adjective

ˈpēs-fəl

Definition of peaceful

as in pacific

inclined to live in peace and to avoid war a peaceful tribe that had quietly inhabited these shores for centuries before the arrival of the Europeans

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nonviolent

not involving violence or force UN officials struggled to find a peaceful solution to the troublesome conflict

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in quiet

free from disturbing noise or uproar a peaceful house, now that the kids are all grown and departed

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tranquil

free from storms or physical disturbance a peaceful lake

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in serene

free from emotional or mental agitation the patient is peaceful and resting comfortably

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of peaceful are calm, placid, serene, and tranquil. While all these words mean "quiet and free from disturbance," peaceful implies a state of repose in contrast with or following strife or turmoil.

grown peaceful in old age

In what contexts can calm take the place of peaceful?

The synonyms calm and peaceful 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

When could placid be used to replace peaceful?

In some situations, the words placid and peaceful are roughly equivalent. However, placid suggests an undisturbed appearance and often implies a degree of complacency.

remained placid despite the criticism

When would serene be a good substitute for peaceful?

The words serene and peaceful can be used in similar contexts, but serene stresses an unclouded and lofty tranquility.

watched the sunset of a serene summer's evening

When can tranquil be used instead of peaceful?

Although the words tranquil and peaceful have much in common, 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 peaceful Seating choice and the mix of people nearby can shape whether a visit feels peaceful or exposed. — Ashley Lynch, Miami Herald, 12 Oct. 2026 Thousands of people marched through central Brussels in a protest that was largely peaceful, although some scuffles broke out with police, who used tear gas and water cannons in some instances. — Makini Brice, Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026 The evening was peaceful until Juan received a text from an elder couple who’d left early to return to their home near Tucson. — Ryan Devereaux, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2026 But the majority of students have been peaceful, and many come off in interviews as almost freakishly mature. — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for peaceful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for peaceful

Adjective

National Aquarium cams The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland, operates a series of cameras of marine animals, including reef sharks, jellyfish and fish in a Pacific coral reef.

— Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 1 June 2026
These conditions tend to suppress Atlantic hurricane development, whereas the eastern and central Pacific hurricane seasons are typically more active during strong El Niño events.

— Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 1 June 2026

Definition of pacific

Adjective

During the debate, Bailey restated his opposition to the state’s elimination of cash bail for nonviolent offenders and to sanctuary policies on immigrants that limit cooperation between state and local police and federal immigration authorities.

— Rick Pearson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Oct. 2026
According to Flood, Forrest was a minimum-security prisoner serving a sentence for a nonviolent drug possession offense and was paroled in December 2025.

— Elaine Rojas-Castillo, CBS News, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of nonviolent

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

Reinhardt’s reporting points to the overuse of grammatical structures and specific words, such as serene or careful, which LLM’s tend to use more frequently than humans.

— Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Other previous winners include a school in rural Brazil, a university in Lima, Peru, and a serene hospital in a remote, flood-prone area of Bangladesh.

— Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of serene

Adjective

To cut straight to the point, this is a film in which China symbolically emerges from the rubble of the Iraq War as a pacifistic patriarch and guardian of all the world’s children.

— Beatrice Loayza, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
The nonprofit running the longstanding contest announced that the bear, known for his pacifist nature, was the winner Tuesday with more than 100,000 votes, giving him a close win over Bear 910 with just over 50% of the poll.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of pacifist

Adjective

An American passport has, for generations, been not just a peaceable visa but a kind of holy grail—a thing valued above all other official documents.

— Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2026
These behaviors make having a productive discussion or peaceable relationship untenable.

— R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 3 July 2026

Definition of peaceable

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

Definition of restful

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“Peaceful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/peaceful. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of peaceful

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