as in gracious
formal
willing or eager to please other people
a complaisant young intern who happily accepted any task
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Recent Examples of complaisant
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
Private institutional investors such as BlackRock and Vanguard tend to be more complaisant about CEO pay — except for European funds.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 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
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
Private institutional investors such as BlackRock and Vanguard tend to be more complaisant about CEO pay — except for European funds.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 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
-
Percussion and a choir imbued the ballad with a pulse, and the gracious Warren quickly turned to clap for the singers at song’s end.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
8 Sep. 2025
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The 63-year-old chef helms the kitchen at Vila Joya—the restaurant of a gracious boutique hotel in Portugal that shares its name—which earned one Michelin star in 1995 and a second in 1999.—
Mike DeSimone,
Robb Report,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
From art and music at the museum to Oktoberfest beers and block parties, the calendar is stacked with events that range from family-friendly to nightlife-ready.—
Tiffani Jackson Skinner,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
5 Sep. 2025
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The bootcut bottoms come in a petite-friendly 27-inch inseam, which, according to the product’s description, fits those 5-foot-3 and under.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
An amicable run-in with his ex-wife in this episode has the same thoughtful feeling.—
Ben Rosenstock,
Vulture,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Her solution is to be thoughtful and focused on the right risks and opportunities.—
Jack McCullough,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There may be specific situations where the needs to keep providing services are so acute that Republicans Joel Anderson and/or Jim Desmond will be amenable.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
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If the 24-year-old is enjoying a strong, healthy campaign, rival clubs may be more amenable to picking up his salary.—
Matthew Schmidt,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Another risk is that AI companions are trained to be overly charming and agreeable.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Research indicates that younger generations — the ones with the most exposure to technology — are becoming, of all things, less agreeable.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complaisant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaisant. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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