Standard Lemma guide

complacently

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • homophone: complaisantly
  • CMU ARPABET: K AH0 M P L EY1 S AH0 N T L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a complacent manner; overly calm and contented; not troubled.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

in a self-satisfied manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English complacent Middle English -ly English -ly English complacently From complacent + -ly.