complaisance

American  

[kuhm-pley-suhns, -zuhns, kom-pluh-zans] / kəmˈpleɪ səns, -zəns, ˈkɒm pləˌzæns /

noun

1. the quality of being complaisant.

2. a complaisant act.

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complaisance British  

/ kəmˈpleɪzəns /

noun

1. deference to the wishes of others; willing compliance

2. an act of willing compliance

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Other Word Forms

• noncomplaisance noun
• uncomplaisance noun

Etymology

Origin of complaisance

From French, dating back to 1645–55; see origin at complaisant, -ance

Explanation

Complaisance is a quality of being eager to please or happy to follow instructions. Your new puppy's complaisance is going to make her easy to train. This characteristic is usually positive — think of a happy preschool teacher with a class of cheerful students whose complaisance keeps them sitting eagerly in a circle, listening to a story. Sometimes, however, the word is used for people who unthinkingly follow directions to their detriment: "The students' complaisance means they keep eating those terrible school lunches without ever questioning why there aren't more fresh fruits and vegetables."

Example Sentences

Or maybe the way to think about it is that she right-sized her career, away from the silly and grim expectations of complaisance that come with universal acclaim and toward a more earnest plane.

From New York Times • Jul. 26, 2023

As to whether there are hellraisers now, well, of course there are, although the eco-system of deference, naivety about alcoholism, press complaisance and tolerance of male behaviour has worn away.

From The Guardian • Jul. 11, 2019

There are more emphatic reasons for the market’s complaisance.

From New York Times • Nov. 12, 2016

There are many reasons for the relative complaisance of fans who chant "red army" as they ascend the steps to the Emirates Stadium.

From The Guardian • Apr. 11, 2011

On the gentlemen’s appearing, her colour increased; yet she received them with tolerable ease, and with a propriety of behaviour equally free from any symptom of resentment or any unnecessary complaisance.

From "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen