1
2

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 But, at a time when the legislative branch has been shamefully supine and the public has been alarmingly complacent, the federal courts represent the last best hope—at least, until the midterm elections—of combatting Trump’s outrages against the Constitution. Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025 Alligators are quite common in Florida, but Spencer urges others not to get complacent. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 6 Apr. 2025 Though May 11 — the date Mother’s Day falls on this year — might seem lightyears away, don’t grow too complacent and make the all-too-common mistake of forgetting to secure Mom, or the mother figure in your life, a gift until the very last moment. Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 31 Mar. 2025 That refusal to be complacent is the reason Ragans is here, the Royals’ Opening Day starter, the fourth-place finisher in the Cy Young race and a trendy pick to win the award this year. Zack Meisel, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
  • The Heat and Grizzlies gave the people nonchalant regular-season basketball, and got thrown out the club as a result.
    The Athletic NBA Staff, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
  • But despite his nonchalant vibe, Poulter is completely locked in, never distracted by the frequent comings and goings around us.
    Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The washers contain a large haul of cocaine, which Mia and Charlie are tasked with delivering to the Chinatown hangout of smug young local Triad boss Tsui Fong (Jeremy Ang Jones) to square up a debt.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 24 Apr. 2025
  • This brings me back to the siege of Jackson, which happens at the same time as Abby’s smug speechifying and Joel-torturing up at the lodge.
    Noel Murray, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The assault is alleged to have taken place in June at 2 Sisters 4 Brothers Restaurant and Lounge, a casual eatery and dance venue in New York City's East Harlem neighborhood.
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 3 May 2025
  • The show, with its journalistically murky blend of news and casual banter, serves the administration’s needs in a few ways, the report suggested.
    Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong are proud of the state of stoner comedy.
    Angela Andaloro, People.com, 3 May 2025
  • The proud regionality of Italy is one such example and this book shows it off beautifully.
    Wilder Davies, Bon Appetit Magazine, 2 May 2025
Adjective
  • That doesn’t portray a hero, but rather someone so arrogant as to invent his own law and appoint himself its executioner.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
  • Maybe so, but that’s an arrogant thing for such a young killer to say.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • For Ueda, the fear is that his two-year effort to end Japan’s deflation-era rate policies will have been in vain.
    William Pesek, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025
  • The film brought in $4.1 mil over the weekend, so Charles Melton did not shave Kit Connor in vain.
    Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • And over the opening month of this season, Yamamoto’s confident mound presence has been mirrored behind the scenes, the pitcher becoming more vocal in game-planning meetings and assured in his clubhouse demeanor.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • Both Roseman and Sirianni were confident that Mukuba could deliver the same blows in the NFL despite being undersized.
    Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on complacent

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!