calm

1. adjective

1)

she seemed very calm

Syn:

serene, tranquil, relaxed, unruffled, unperturbed, unflustered, untroubled; equable, even-tempered; placid, unexcitable, unemotional, phlegmatic; composed, 'calm, cool, and collected, ' coolheaded, self-possessed; informal unflappable, unfazed, nonplussed

Ant:

excited, nervous, upset

2)

the night was calm

Syn:

windless, still, tranquil, serene, quiet

Ant:

windy, stormy

3)

the calm waters of the lake

Syn:

tranquil, still, smooth, glassy, like a millpond; literary stilly

Ant:

rough, stormy

2. noun

1)

calm prevailed

Syn:

tranquility, stillness, calmness, quiet, quietness, quietude, peace, peacefulness

2)

his usual calm deserted him

Syn:

composure, coolness, calmness, self-possession, sangfroid; serenity, tranquility, equanimity, equability, placidness, placidity; informal cool, unflappability

3. verb

1)

I tried to calm him down

Syn:

soothe, pacify, placate, mollify, appease, conciliate, quiet (down), relax

Ant:

excite, upset

2)

she forced herself to calm down

Syn:

compose oneself, recover/regain one's composure, control oneself, pull oneself together, simmer down, cool down/off, take it easy; informal get a grip, keep one's shirt on, chill (out), cool one's jets, hang/stay loose, decompress

••

calm, halcyon, peaceful, placid, serene, tranquil

We usually speak of the weather or the sea as calm, meaning free from disturbance or storm. When applied to people and their feelings or moods, calm implies an unruffled state, often under disturbing conditions (to remain calm in the face of disaster). Halcyon is another adjective associated with the weather (the halcyon days of summer); it comes from the name of a mythical bird, usually identified with the kingfisher, that builds its nest on the sea and possesses a magical power to calm the winds and waves. Peaceful also suggests a lack of turbulence or disorder, although it is usually applied to situations, scenes, and activities rather than to people (a peaceful gathering of protesters; a peaceful resolution to their problems). Serene, tranquil, and placid are more often used to describe human states of being. Serene suggests a lofty and undisturbed calmness (he died with a serene look on his face), while tranquil implies an intrinsic calmness (they led a tranquil life in the country). Placid usually refers to a prevailing tendency and is sometimes used disparagingly to suggest a lack of responsiveness or a dull complacency (with her placid disposition, she seldom got involved in family arguments).