as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
a momentary complacency that was quickly dispelled by the shock of cold reality
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 complacency
As is becoming more and more apparent, the people who brought us success, without Vichai guiding them, fell foul to complacency, poor decision-making and a struggle to adapt to a changing landscape.
—
Rob Tanner, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Its complacency was personified by the Gandhi family, whose members dominated the Party but appeared diffident and out of touch.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Yet these recent efforts are insufficient to compensate for more than three decades of complacency and atrophy.
—Michael Brown, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
As the severe storm system moved in, sirens blared for about 20 minutes but were met with complacency and confusion.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacency
Rob Tanner, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Its complacency was personified by the Gandhi family, whose members dominated the Party but appeared diffident and out of touch.
—Andrew Marantz, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Yet these recent efforts are insufficient to compensate for more than three decades of complacency and atrophy.
—Michael Brown, Foreign Affairs, 22 Apr. 2025
As the severe storm system moved in, sirens blared for about 20 minutes but were met with complacency and confusion.
—Alex Gurley, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacency
Noun
-
As its name implies, the Emotional Support lip balm ($24), is anything but a vanity project.—
Dahvi Shira,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
According to nutritionist Payal Kothari, author of The Gut, the rise of the high-protein diet has been driven by a mix of vanity and virality.—
Sara Hussain,
Vogue,
12 May 2025
Noun
-
Perhaps the defining factor in a rousing year was the Dutchman’s ability to leave his ego at the door.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
28 Apr. 2025
-
An Uncomfortable Situation For Meloni and the Vatican Vatican officials have likely had a difficult time planning the seating for the ceremony, trying to avoid having sparring leaders next to each other and not hurt anyone's ego by not giving them the front row.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The crowd erupted in applause, the Chicago Tribune reported, as a wave of pride swept over the city’s Catholic community.—
Chris Kenning,
USA Today,
11 May 2025
-
Hudson has been vocal about her pride in her family and their New England fisherman roots.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
10 May 2025
Noun
-
The arrogance of economics and its myriad equations, charts and numbers is astounding.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
21 Apr. 2025
-
Others were negative traits to avoid, like irritability, arrogance, and combativeness.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
1 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complacency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacency. Accessed 18 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share