1
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
the complacence of some of the rich kids at the exclusive private school
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disregard
lack of interest or concern
someone who displayed a startling complacence toward his own financial plight
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of complacence
Stuck here on the planet’s surface, our mundane perspective is rarely challenged, so seeing both our world and its lone natural satellite side by side is a rare gift, a jolt to our cosmic complacence.
—
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2025
This flagrant exclusion of such a win-win prospect largely stems from the aversion many environmental activists have of any potential solution that might lead to complacence on aggregate consumption.
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
His Finnish homeland, which shares an 800-mile border with Russia, has not been afforded the luxury of complacence.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar. 2025
Overwhelming military strength encouraged complacence.
—T.h. Breen, The New York Review of Books, 2 Feb. 2023
The United States veered too far in the direction of complacence after the Cold War, discounting China and Russia’s competitive potential.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 25 July 2022
The campaign used Ivancie’s complacence.
—oregonlive, 1 Feb. 2022
But the rise and fall of Japan's chipmakers suggests that leaders of the industry today have no room for complacence.
—Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 22 June 2021
But surely there must be a place for civil disobedience and protest that is sufficiently disruptive to rouse people from complacence.
—Yochai Benkler, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2012
Phil Plait, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2025
This flagrant exclusion of such a win-win prospect largely stems from the aversion many environmental activists have of any potential solution that might lead to complacence on aggregate consumption.
—Saleem H. Ali, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
His Finnish homeland, which shares an 800-mile border with Russia, has not been afforded the luxury of complacence.
—The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Mar. 2025
Overwhelming military strength encouraged complacence.
—T.h. Breen, The New York Review of Books, 2 Feb. 2023
The United States veered too far in the direction of complacence after the Cold War, discounting China and Russia’s competitive potential.
—Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 25 July 2022
The campaign used Ivancie’s complacence.
—oregonlive, 1 Feb. 2022
But the rise and fall of Japan's chipmakers suggests that leaders of the industry today have no room for complacence.
—Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 22 June 2021
But surely there must be a place for civil disobedience and protest that is sufficiently disruptive to rouse people from complacence.
—Yochai Benkler, Foreign Affairs, 4 Apr. 2012
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacence
Noun
-
Moradillo sofas, Ethnicraft oak furniture, Inbani vanities, Catalano fixtures and handwoven rugs bring European polish to a distinctly Bahamian setting.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2026
-
An extended chapter of Hector on a shoot in Argentina could stand by itself as a wonderful short story about male ego, vanity, desire and loyalty.—
John Warner,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
Even with widespread skepticism and disregard for health protocols, many in the town are becoming aware of the outbreak's grave reality.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 June 2026
-
Even with widespread skepticism and disregard for health protocols, many in the town are becoming aware of the outbreak’s grave reality.—
Justin Kabumba,
Los Angeles Times,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Heightening the conflict is the fact that both the host and the guest are world-famous writers, each with a titanic ego.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
-
In candid photos and videos shared on her Instagram Stories on June 7, Cuoco revealed that Matilda has embraced a Spider-Man alter-ego while showing off her mini-me’s tennis skills.—
Lara Walsh,
InStyle,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
But it has rarely been managed with such apparent indifference to its own contradictions.—
Shirvin Zeinalzadeh,
The Conversation,
11 June 2026
-
This is a distortion of the law, and a display of callous indifference to the tragedies that moved Congress to pass the Refugee Act.—
Elizabeth Holtzman,
Time,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Though all eyes will be on North America, the national pride this event inspires – and the staggered start times that will allow fans watching back in their home countries to take in their teams during sort-of-normal hours – will stir incredible excitement and patriotism all around the world.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN Money,
11 June 2026
-
From agricultural legacy, alternative modernization and pride in heritage, a lifestyle of independence and historical significance can be witnessed.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Noun
-
Now in the midst of their best stretch of the season, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough is making sure the momentum does not turn into complacency.—
Tyler Carmona
June 11,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2026
-
In-person connections come with a higher premium, and getting out provides a buffer against complacency.—
Julian Hayes II,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
That confidence isn’t arrogance.—
Datwon Thomas,
VIBE.com,
6 June 2026
-
As the subtitle promises, their answers are shared with all the vulgarity, pettiness, and arrogance intact.—
Juliet Izon,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complacence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacence. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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