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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complacent
The distinction between security and defense is an important and urgent one and a reminder of how complacent European governments have been.
—
Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
That result and a 2-1 loss at Servette in a qualifier in August — Chelsea went 3-0 up on aggregate only to be punished, like the Legia game, for getting complacent — are the only Conference League games Maresca’s side have not won (out of 13).
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Once you are given that (star) label early on, some people get complacent.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2025
Perhaps the setup for Maryland basketball is mostly fine, and the chief takeaway is simply that university administrators can’t be complacent about their coach’s contentment given the financial and competitive complexities of modern college basketball.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Mike O'Sullivan, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
That result and a 2-1 loss at Servette in a qualifier in August — Chelsea went 3-0 up on aggregate only to be punished, like the Legia game, for getting complacent — are the only Conference League games Maresca’s side have not won (out of 13).
—Simon Johnson, New York Times, 2 May 2025
Once you are given that (star) label early on, some people get complacent.
—Mac Engel, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Apr. 2025
Perhaps the setup for Maryland basketball is mostly fine, and the chief takeaway is simply that university administrators can’t be complacent about their coach’s contentment given the financial and competitive complexities of modern college basketball.
—Childs Walker, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
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Throughout the book, ogling bystanders, nonchalant locals, and wannabes shooting their shot at stardom all add to the surrealist spectacle.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
23 May 2025
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Over the seasons, Tamburini has been offering sleek and sophisticated designs, yet with a modern touch, fluid shapes and a sort of nonchalant attitude.—
Luisa Zargani,
Footwear News,
21 May 2025
Adjective
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To his critics, Jost’s smug humor felt noticeably anachronistic at a time when the #MeToo and Black Lives Matter movements were calling for a greater awareness of society’s deep inequalities, and for ostensibly liberal institutions to do better.—
Michael Tedder,
The Atlantic,
17 May 2025
-
The series has been characterized by smug antics in defeat.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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Our expert, Tim Gideon gave it a solid review and called it a strong pick for casual, everyday use.—
Juhi Wadia,
PC Magazine,
26 May 2025
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While PlayStation and Xbox are huge markets for casual players, PC is where GTA Online has thrived thanks to the large scale modding community.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
26 May 2025
Adjective
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They were thanked for coming by loyal Canadians, clearly proud of their head of state.—
Simon Perry,
People.com,
27 May 2025
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The city has a long and proud history of coming together through difficult times.—
Chloe Mayer
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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Richard was known for being outspoken, if not arrogant, consistently rubbing his Tagi tribe the wrong way and offending some of them with his blatant display of nudity on the island.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
27 May 2025
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Multiple people described him to me as unpopular and arrogant.—
Amanda Chicago Lewis,
Harpers Magazine,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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While the issue was addressed before in vain, Macron hinted that it could be considered this time around.—
Elsa Keslassy,
Variety,
23 May 2025
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Her very intimate use of the camera added by a relentless patience gives the film a meditational feeling that ultimately works beyond mere and vain life philosophy.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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Sid Justice, though competent in other matches, is given few opportunities to prove himself as a rising star against the notoriously egotistical Hogan.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
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And for any fan of the show — and Wilson’s over-the-top, egotistical Dwight — the lyrics might not be a total surprise.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The big story Just a week after a breakthrough in U.S.-China trade tensions, neither side can yet be confident that the other is holding up their end of the bargain.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
21 May 2025
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Sitting in the Birmingham High bleachers wearing headphones before running the 400 meters at the City Section track and field prelims, 17-year-old senior Nathan Santa Cruz looks like a teenager comfortable and confident.—
Eric Sondheimer,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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