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
-
But these aren’t gods in oh-so-gracious robes or with armor or holding lightning bolts in their hands.—
David Lyman,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Though McCartney was seemingly gracious in his attendance, comparisons between Oasis and The Beatles have been rife over the years, some of which were even spearheaded by members of Oasis themselves.—
Chris Barilla,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The free, family-friendly event includes a chance to meet local firefighters, watch live demonstrations, tour the station and get fire safety tips.—
Linda Mcintosh,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
25 Sep. 2025
-
And Benjamin heads to a friendly pub to get drunk.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
With a mix of trendsetting content and thoughtful storytelling, our editors keep an eye on what’s now, what’s next, and what truly matters.—
Vogue,
Vogue,
25 Sep. 2025
-
But Kimmel—who also provided a thoughtful, compassionate response to the firestorm, thanking supporters on both sides of the aisle—hasn’t actually returned to a pre-Brendan Carr state of affairs.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Just make sure to do this while temperatures are still warm, since succulents of any kind are not amenable to rooting in cold weather, and if the cold is accompanied by moist soil, the cuttings are likely to rot.—
Joshua Siskin,
Oc Register,
20 Sep. 2025
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No better planetary system more amenable to JWST’s scrutiny has been found in our pocket of the galaxy, Gillon says—and TRAPPIST-1e may be its crown jewel.—
Jonathan O'Callaghan,
Scientific American,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The happiest people were also the most likely to volunteer because volunteering is closely tied to qualities like being social, kind and agreeable.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Any physical items or documents requested can either be mailed directly to MPRM, or else messengered to MPRM at a mutually agreeable date and time.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
17 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complaisant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complaisant. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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