complaisant

as in gracious
formal willing or eager to please other people a complaisant young intern who happily accepted any task

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How is the word complaisant distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of complaisant are amiable, good-natured, and obliging. While all these words mean "having the desire or disposition to please," complaisant often implies passivity or a yielding to others because of weakness.

was too complaisant to protest a decision he thought unfair

In what contexts can amiable take the place of complaisant?

The words amiable and complaisant can be used in similar contexts, but amiable implies having qualities that make one liked and easy to deal with.

an amiable teacher not easily annoyed

When could good-natured be used to replace complaisant?

The meanings of good-natured and complaisant largely overlap; however, good-natured implies cheerfulness or helpfulness and sometimes a willingness to be imposed upon.

a good-natured girl who was always willing to pitch in

When can obliging be used instead of complaisant?

The words obliging and complaisant are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, obliging stresses a friendly readiness to be helpful.

our obliging innkeeper found us a bigger room

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 complaisant In this frigid state, electrons become complaisant enough to forgo their usual resistance and flow frictionlessly. Dan Garisto, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2025 Now, each time is like this, complaisant, Emil pretending to be only half awake. Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2025 Every day, Congress and the media stand by in complaisant silence that tells the rest of the world we U.S. citizens cannot be trusted to elect prudent leaders. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 13 July 2025 However, Imperial County landowners and complaisant U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officials ignored that limit, allowing rapid consolidation of land, says Andrés, who wrote his doctoral dissertation on the county’s early years. Janet Wilson, ProPublica, 9 Nov. 2023 Last month Ferrari lofted its banners over a resort near the southern port of Cagliari and invited journalists to test-drive the new Ferrari Roma Spider, taking advantage of the excellent tarmac, ideal weather and complaisant authorities. Dan Neil, WSJ, 5 Oct. 2023 Overall, the song feels like a deep analysis and reflection on the complaisant position men may take in love and relationships, giving us a track that reams out awful boyfriends and the mindless behavior of their partners who continue to allow them back into their lives to act this way. Abby Dupes, Seventeen, 21 May 2022 But Ohio shouldn’t get complaisant. Julie Washington, cleveland, 8 Apr. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complaisant
Adjective
  • This luxurious property sizzles with gracious elegance and impeccable service, eliciting over-the-top reviews from guests.
    Kathryn Streeter, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The fans are really, really gracious and excited.
    Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • In warm weather that means competitive golf tournaments, friendly tennis clinics, outdoor summer concerts, and a calendar full of signature community events.
    Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Wear them with a simple long-sleeve top or T-shirt for a casual look, or add a blazer and heels for an office-friendly outfit.
    Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • While Wohl’s script is packed to the brim with thoughtful moments of beauty, comedy, and heartbreak, Liberation wouldn’t be nearly as affecting and, sadly, relatable without its stellar cast.
    Emlyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
  • The film tells a quietly amusing story that offers a more-than-realistic dive into one of the most iconic and thoughtful young men in world history – a man who essentially invented modern angst long before the internet existed.
    Zac Ntim, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • China may be amenable to this arrangement because Xi, who continues to purge high-level military officials, appears to not fully trust the People’s Liberation Army or its readiness to take Taiwan in the near term.
    MARVIN PARK, Foreign Affairs, 22 Oct. 2025
  • Illustration by Patricia Bolaños In today’s New York, dive bars are an increasingly rare species, steadily losing their place in the economic food chain to sexier establishments that are more amenable to influencers and their algorithms.
    Helen Shaw, New Yorker, 17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • All in all, the Naadam favorite was consistently smooth and agreeable against my skin.
    Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Successful group trips require agreeable group participation!
    John Briley, Outside, 28 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Complaisant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaisant. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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