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
If the Trump administration’s big stick provokes a complacent Harvard into seeking more independence, that will be a good thing.
—
Amity Shlaes, National Review, 28 Apr. 2025
Although Microsoft users are more used to being on the receiving end of warnings about password compromise attacks, that doesn’t mean that Apple fans can be complacent.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
However, international students are our students and remaining complacent as their perspectives are brutally suppressed and they are dragged away from our campuses—which should serve as safe, nurturing spaces for intellectual exchange and political criticism—harms us all.
—Susan Thomas, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
At a time when Villa could have been complacent, McGinn was at his scrapping best, picking the pockets of players outside the box and squaring for Leon Bailey.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Amity Shlaes, National Review, 28 Apr. 2025
Although Microsoft users are more used to being on the receiving end of warnings about password compromise attacks, that doesn’t mean that Apple fans can be complacent.
—Davey Winder, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
However, international students are our students and remaining complacent as their perspectives are brutally suppressed and they are dragged away from our campuses—which should serve as safe, nurturing spaces for intellectual exchange and political criticism—harms us all.
—Susan Thomas, Time, 29 Apr. 2025
At a time when Villa could have been complacent, McGinn was at his scrapping best, picking the pockets of players outside the box and squaring for Leon Bailey.
—Jacob Tanswell, The Athletic, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
-
In fact, Hope’s own nonchalant attitude inspired her to share the truth.—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
3 June 2025
-
The season’s top accessories reflect summer’s playful attitude with capsules and designs that balance nonchalant ease with an energetic and joyful spirit.—
Madeline Fass,
Vogue,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Twenty-three years of a smug, smarmy host, and a bunch of sportswriters desperate for sound bites and attention.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
31 May 2025
-
There’s the divorced couple maintaining their relationship for their children; the happy and occasionally smug monogamist; the man who prefers not to commit; the woman who can’t decide.—
Alissa Wilkinson,
New York Times,
15 May 2025
Adjective
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For casual poolside wear, the Swingy Tie-back Beach Dress is a top-notch pick at $41, while the Gathered Popover Dress is another standout at $53.—
Merrell Readman,
Travel + Leisure,
7 June 2025
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The woman’s friend and the casual man spend time every few weeks, play pool, and text daily.—
Stephanie Guerilus,
People.com,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
Their many successes and proud history are well known, so there are plenty of arguments to support Madrid in this competition… and also to want anyone but them to win it.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
8 June 2025
-
For a bit of old soul Florida, head to Everglades City, a proud frontier town in subtropical swamp wilderness.—
Kelsey Glennon,
Southern Living,
8 June 2025
Adjective
-
The exiled poet was criticized for his arrogant attempts to influence British and American foreign policy.—
Graham Robb,
The Atlantic,
9 June 2025
-
There is something dangerously, provocatively arrogant about his glorified gang leader looks.—
Timothy Crouse,
Rolling Stone,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
Yet rather than call a tow truck, the Steelers are revving the engine in the hopes their tires don’t spin in vain but find a little grip amid all that mud.—
Will Graves,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 June 2025
-
Arena, like the adjacent club called Circus, was established by a couple of gay and Latino entrepreneurs as open-to-everyone party spaces — a radical departure during an era when discos were defined more by the vulgar discrimination of velvet ropes and vain bouncers policing entry.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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The men were very egotistical in this film and no one really showed up.—
Jeff Conway,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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In the upcoming film, Oscar Isaac stars as Dr. Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a creature (Jacob Elordi) to life in a monstrous experiment that ultimately leads to the undoing of both the creator and his tragic creation.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
31 May 2025
Adjective
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But negative feelings are running high across all sectors; the most confident sector in April was construction, and that was down nearly 4 points from January.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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Sounding relaxed and confident, Arnault kicked off a 30-minute conversation with high praise for Chiuri, whose engaging narratives, graceful designs and merchandising prowess quadrupled the size of Dior, according to HSBC estimates.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
2 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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