complacent

adjective

kəm-ˈplā-sᵊnt How to pronounce complacent (audio)
Definition of complacentnext
1
as in nonchalant
having or showing a lack of interest or concern the auditors were taken aback by his complacent response to their findings of fraud

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2
as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself a complacent junior exec who was certain of his indispensability to the company

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of complacent For Fröbe-Kapteyn, the fantasy led her to a fiercely complacent apoliticism in the face of the defining conflict of the postmodern era. — Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 3 June 2026 Larson is in a position to play a leading role in protecting our benefits, which are at increasing risk from this administration and complacent Republicans. — Letters To The Editor, Hartford Courant, 8 June 2026 Dominant players become complacent. — Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026 Twentieth-century historians tended to paint the senator as an ineffectual hothead, but Tameez maintains that Sumner’s in-your-face style helped shock a complacent nation into action. — Rob Wolfe, The Atlantic, 5 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
  1. nonchalant
  2. smug
  3. casual
  4. proud
  5. arrogant
Adjective
  • That play effectively started once defender Tim Ream tracked down a goal kick near the half-line, then passed up to Tyler Adams for a nonchalant back-heel pass to Tillman.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 2 July 2026
  • Chisholm is normally pretty nonchalant, and manager Aaron Boone is rather stoic and defends his players sometimes to a fault.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 23 June 2026
Definition of nonchalant
Adjective
  • Historian Sandgruber describes how Alois Hitler wrote his 1895 letters in a deeply smug, anti-clerical manner that overestimated his abilities.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
  • Li at times plays Cola with a smug impetuousness that belies her naivety about this world to a satisfying degree.
    — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026
Definition of smug
Adjective
  • On casual occasions, this T-shirt dress is an easy way to be presentable—and comfortable.
    — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 5 July 2026
  • Plus, the simple silhouette easily transitions from daytime adventures to casual dinners.
    — Aashna Gheewalla, PEOPLE, 5 July 2026
Definition of casual
Adjective
  • Swift will either ignore the noise as usual, or smile at the absurdity as a secure, proud childless cat lady.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Looking back, Fox is proud to be part of such a perennial classic.
    — Jonathon Dornbush, Entertainment Weekly, 3 July 2026
Definition of proud
Adjective
  • West Germany, arrogant attitude adjusted, pounded Chile, 4-1.
    — David j. Neal, Miami Herald, 24 June 2026
  • Lasso, in his initial introduction to audiences, wasn’t the warm, pun-loving, inspirational coach audiences would eventually embrace through Apple +, but a slightly arrogant buffoon parodying the average American sports fan.
    — Charles Moss, New York Times, 24 June 2026
Definition of arrogant

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complacency
complacent
complain
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Cite this Entry

“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on complacent

Nglish: Translation of complacent for Spanish Speakers

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