Bryson’s dictionary for writers and editors. 2013.
complacent — complacent, self complacent, self satisfied, smug, priggish are comparable when they mean feeling or showing satisfaction especially in one s own possessions, attainments, accomplishments, or virtues. Complacent implies that a feeling of pleasure … New Dictionary of Synonyms
Complacent — Com*pla cent, a. [L. complacens very pleasing, p. pr. of complacere; com + placere to please: cf. F. complaisant. See {Please} and cf. {Complaisant}.] Self satisfied; contented; kindly; as, a complacent temper; a complacent smile. [1913 Webster]… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
complacent — complacent, complaisant have the same pronunciation apart from s in the first and z in the second. Both are derived from the Latin word complacere ‘to please’. Complacent means ‘calmly confident’ and normally has unfavourable connotations, i.e.… … Modern English usage
complacent — I adjective at ease, carefree, complaisant, compilable, compliant, composed, content, contented, fulfilled, gratified, peaceful of mind, placid, pleased, qui sibi placet, reposeful, resigned, satisfied, self content, self satisfied, serene, smug … Law dictionary
complacent — 1650s, pleasing, from L. complacentem (nom. complacens) pleasing, prp. of complacere be very pleasing (see COMPLACENCE (Cf. complacence)). Meaning pleased with oneself is from 1767. Related: Complacently … Etymology dictionary
complacent — [adj] contented conceited, confident, easy going, egoistic, egotistic, gratified, happy, obsequious, pleased, satisfied, selfassured, self contented, self pleased, selfpossessed, self righteous, self satisfied, serene, smug, unconcerned; concepts … New thesaurus
complacent — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ smug and uncritically satisfied with oneself or one s achievements. DERIVATIVES complacency (also complacence) noun complacently adverb. ORIGIN from Latin complacere to please … English terms dictionary
complacent — [kəm plā′sənt] adj. [L complacens, prp. of complacere, to be very pleasing < com , intens. + placere, to PLEASE] 1. satisfied; esp., self satisfied, or smug 2. affable; complaisant complacently adv … English World dictionary
complacent — com|pla|cent [kəmˈpleısənt] adj [Date: 1600 1700; : Latin; Origin: , present participle of complacere to please greatly , from com ( COM ) + placere to please ] pleased with a situation, especially something you have achieved, so that you stop… … Dictionary of contemporary English
complacent — adj. VERBS ▪ appear, be, seem, sound ▪ become, get, grow ADVERB ▪ extremely … Collocations dictionary
complacent — [[t]kəmple͟ɪs(ə)nt[/t]] ADJ GRADED (disapproval) A complacent person is very pleased with themselves or feels that they do not need to do anything about a situation, even though the situation may be uncertain or dangerous. We cannot afford to be… … English dictionary
