complaisant

Definition of complaisantnext
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 And would require a fully complaisant leader in Iran. Melik Kaylan, Forbes.com, 26 Feb. 2026 Most casual chatbot users might be forgiven for finding their interlocutor banal or complaisant. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complaisant
Adjective
  • The axe came down swiftly and brutally, but, speaking candidly, Geoff Daniels, PBS’ Vice President, Programming & Development, was gracious about it, thanking the audience of mostly media industry people for their camaraderie.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 25 June 2026
  • The gracious — and perfectly acceptable — way is not to serve alcohol to anyone.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 24 June 2026
Adjective
  • Prior to the game, both players said Sutter Health Park had lived up to its reputation as a hitter-friendly ballpark.
    Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
  • Alarmed by an avalanche of high-density development projects prompted by a developer-friendly state law, Miami commissioners have ordered the city attorney to look into challenging the controversial legislation.
    Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026
Adjective
  • High ceilings and generous proportions create volume, while thoughtful transitions blur the lines between interior and exterior, extending daily life beyond the home’s four walls.
    GL Homes, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026
  • The bold contrast calls for thoughtful choices of wall color.
    Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2026
Adjective
  • The combination of relatively low cost and absence of radiation makes this a much more feasible research endeavor than monitoring large numbers of patients with serial CT or MRI scans in organs amenable to ultrasound visualization.
    Paul Hsieh, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026
  • These are the people who will likely be most amenable to negotiations or personal entreaties.
    Clio Chang, Curbed, 17 June 2026
Adjective
  • They’re also designed to be agreeable and can reinforce a user’s beliefs, even if those beliefs are inaccurate.
    Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
  • Photo shoot shall be scheduled at a mutually agreeable time as determined between Sponsor and the Grand Prize winner.
    Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complaisant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaisant. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.

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