COMPLACENTLY

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

I. (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In a self-satisfied manner

Example:

he complacently lived out his life as a village school teacher

Classified under:

Adverbs

Pertainym:

complacent (contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions)

Credits

Context examples:

I know that had I been a sanguine, brilliant, careless, exacting, handsome, romping child—though equally dependent and friendless—Mrs. Reed would have endured my presence more complacently; her children would have entertained for me more of the cordiality of fellow-feeling; the servants would have been less prone to make me the scapegoat of the nursery.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

"I'm so glad my French print is clean, it's just the thing and so becoming!" observed Meg complacently.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Under the storm of denunciation Brissenden complacently sipped his toddy and affirmed that everything the other said was quite true, with the exception of the magazine editors.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

The recollection of what had been done for William was always the most powerful disturber of every decision against Mr. Crawford; and she sat thinking deeply of it till Mary, who had been first watching her complacently, and then musing on something else, suddenly called her attention by saying: I should like to sit talking with you here all day, but we must not forget the ladies below, and so good-bye, my dear, my amiable, my excellent Fanny, for though we shall nominally part in the breakfast-parlour, I must take leave of you here.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)