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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
a complacent junior exec who was certain of his indispensability to the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complacent
Bergen additionally warned the New Jersey GOP not to get complacent in the 2025 gubernatorial race.
—
Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Feb. 2025
Read more: 500 years ago, Machiavelli warned the public not to get complacent in the face of self-interested charismatic figures
This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.
—Jeff Inglis, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
That’s always easier because people start to question you but after City everyone was so positive then people start to get confident and complacent.
—James Pearce, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Over Super Bowl weekend, fans worried that Kelce was being complacent and breaking his own rule about not going out and socializing in the week before the big game, the Daily Mail reported.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Feb. 2025
Read more: 500 years ago, Machiavelli warned the public not to get complacent in the face of self-interested charismatic figures
This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.
—Jeff Inglis, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
That’s always easier because people start to question you but after City everyone was so positive then people start to get confident and complacent.
—James Pearce, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Over Super Bowl weekend, fans worried that Kelce was being complacent and breaking his own rule about not going out and socializing in the week before the big game, the Daily Mail reported.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
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The nonchalant nature of the talking stage can also shield individuals from rejection.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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Among the many characters in the mural are: a gray cat perched in a tree; a white-and-black dog digging excitedly in the grass; a nonchalant orange cat lounging without a care; a dachshund mid-chase after a ball; and a black cat leaping into the air, back arched in dramatic flair.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But my in-laws seemed not to catch this smug look of his, and when my mother-in-law excused herself to go to the bathroom, my father-in-law took the opportunity to go over to his desk and take out one of his special blue envelopes.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
2 Apr. 2025
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But those smug computers obviously haven’t seen a shirtless Illini coach Brad Underwood and his Super Soaker squirt gun.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Pair it with sandals and sneakers for a casual outing, or zhuzh it up with wedges or flats for a more formal occasion.—
Clara McMahon,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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As dating moves from casual texts to deeper emotional investment, people begin to ask themselves important internal questions, often without realizing it.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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If Holzhauer’s proud of his service and believe he’s earned the property tax exemption, then own it.—
Naperville Sun,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
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Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.—
Darren Franich,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Not gaining admission to a BS/MD program after years of work can feel like a setback, but rest assured that your hard work will not be in vain.—
Kristen Moon,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Real celebrities guest-starred in often awkward encounters with the always vain and self-centered Miss Piggy.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In the 1998 episode, Theroux, 53, appears briefly as an egotistical writer who flirts with Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw at a party.—
John Russell,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Yes: Crumb’s work is egotistical, misogynist, racist—or, more generously, a feculent parody.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harper's Magazine,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Many others have noted how comfortable these same people who are cracking down on antisemitism are with Nazis—real, frighteningly confident antisemites.—
Molly Fischer,
New Yorker,
3 Apr. 2025
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The Trump Administration, however, remains confident in its approach.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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