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
Relevance
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
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
Common social media security mistakes to avoid Hackers are counting on you to get complacent.
—
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
With stocks at record highs and trade uncertainty lingering, investors are divided on whether markets are complacent or there is room to push higher.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Some even cite the firm's 'Day One' culture of not getting complacent after achieving success.
—Joanna Gill, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Also, don’t become complacent with gratitude, appreciation and recognition.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 20 July 2025
With stocks at record highs and trade uncertainty lingering, investors are divided on whether markets are complacent or there is room to push higher.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Some even cite the firm's 'Day One' culture of not getting complacent after achieving success.
—Joanna Gill, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Also, don’t become complacent with gratitude, appreciation and recognition.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
-
Kivel’s narration remains droll and nonchalant, practically taunting the reader, as Evie’s circumstances become more and more absurd.—
Lora Kelley,
New Yorker,
7 Aug. 2025
-
Despite the win leaving his wife in disbelief, the winner was nonchalant.—
Daniella Segura,
Miami Herald,
4 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Bertha was right, George is being a jerk, and Larry needs to wipe that smug smile off his face.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
11 Aug. 2025
-
And no scripture condones the smug enjoyment of it.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
30 July 2025
Adjective
-
With 131 stylish rooms, lush linens, rainfall showers, minibars and free Wi‑Fi, the hotel offers comfort and charm, not to mention a casual, youthful vibe and unstuffy service-with-a-smile.—
David Weiss,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Combining the casual familiarity of a meet-the-parents scenario with the lo-fi visual experimentation of his recent work like In Water (NYFF61), Hong Sangsoo’s latest keeps revealing new emotional layers, finally offering a rich examination of economic anxiety and contemporary alienation.—
Jill Goldsmith,
Deadline,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
The judge relented in the face of his daughter’s determination, perhaps more than a little proud of her patriotic pluck.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
-
One of my proudest accomplishments has been collaborating with higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations and global employers to design talent creation initiatives that not only fill jobs but also build careers.—
Jay Garcia,
Forbes.com,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Depicting Americans as arrogant, loud, boorish and demeaning of other cultures, the term has stuck and is still mentioned 60-plus years later.—
Jenny Peters,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The most radical overhaul of the tax code in our state’s history would require voter approval in November 2026, and that starts by portraying local governments as cartoonishly arrogant, bloated and unaccountable.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
During the eulogy, Neil boldly vowed that his son’s death wouldn’t be in vain.—
Maggie Menderski,
The Courier-Journal,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Once again, Arteta’s side were camped outside an opposition penalty area, trying in vain to break them down.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
Cena gets to show off his mane of hair while playing Peacemaker, the egotistical vigilante that made his debut in 2021's Suicide Squad and now leads the acclaimed HBO Max series also starring Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, and Jennifer Holland.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
6 Aug. 2025
-
Such an obvious way to exhibit his egotistical personality.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
Adjective
-
Willy Adames is confident the Giants could’ve turned two.—
Justice delos Santos,
Mercury News,
13 Aug. 2025
-
So here’s what the data is saying: Corporations are confident—just look at buybacks.—
Frank Holmes,
Forbes.com,
13 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 19 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share