complacently
1
7.0
- adverb
- /kəmˈpleɪsəntli/
:
complacientemente
- Despite the warnings, he complacently continued with his risky investments, thinking everything would be fine.
- said complacently
- nodded complacently
- smiled complacently
Examples
-
The actress smiled complacently.
Fiction book (1996) -
"Well, Annie," remarked Mr. Bullwinkle complacently, "that hunch of yours sure paid off!"
Fiction book (2001) -
"If I do say so myself," she would add complacently.
Fiction book (1996) -
Her fingers lace complacently across her middle.
Fiction book (1993) -
"So you and Willis were both here around four?" She nodded complacently.
Fiction book (1994) -
Dodging the splash, Annie turned complacently back to Severn.
Fiction book (2001) -
The chaplain smiled and bobbed his head complacently.
Fiction book (1996) -
As Byda demonstrates, when history is viewed complacently, it becomes simplistic and monolithic.
Academic text (1994) -
But the right response to these trends is not complacently accepting the status quo or simply letting the backlash against globalization proceed.
Academic text (2018) -
She walked complacently through the park, unaware of the rain clouds gathering above.
Synonyms
8
6.0
In a proud way that shows you think you are better than others
Antonyms
How Self-Satisfied
Surface Forms
Morphology
complacently = complacent (transparent) = complacent + ly
The adverb is a regular derivation from the adjective 'complacent' using the productive suffix '-ly', so the relation to the base is clear.
Etymology
Complacently comes from the old Latin word placere ('to please') with the prefix com-, so it originally meant 'very pleased'. So to act complacently is to be so 'pleased' with yourself that you do not notice problems or danger.