Definition of complacencenext
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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 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 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 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
  • Prioritize Lasting Placements Over Speed In staffing, speed is a vanity metric.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Most Popular In Oona’s bathroom the tiles are from Country Floors, the vintage mirror is from Venice, Italy, and the vanity is an antique chest that was converted to a vanity with fittings by Waterworks.
    Sara Ruffin Costello, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Once again, Gulf leaders were shocked not just by American disregard for their preferences but also by the revelation of American impotence.
    MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Elci clarified that was a nod to his father’s work ethic, not a disregard for his passing.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 18 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Unlike other music expert podcasts, this one is stripped of any mansplaining or ego — picture just a bunch of music lovers in a room, sitting by a fire and going deep on how young Bob Weir’s vocals sounded in 1970.
    Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Under the black cape, trash can helmet and ample body armor straight out of a low-budget sci-fi film, Binface’s alter-ego is Jon Harvey, a middle-aged comedian who has spent much of the campaign trying to keep his cool during a sweltering summer.
    ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • That was the Cubs’ only runner in scoring position until a defensive indifference allowed Seiya Suzuki to advance to second after a two-out walk in the ninth.
    Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Twenty-seven percent showed indifference, however, possibly demonstrating that most voters would be fine supporting them in a general election, said Christian Grose, a political science professor at the University of Southern California.
    Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Johnson took pride in the team having only two penalties after emphasizing being disciplined on all three sides of the ball.
    Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Intense pride in their home has resulted in both protective zoning codes and an inbred reluctance to sell.
    Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 16 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • And the fact that the Fever couldn’t match the Wings’ desperation served as another lesson in limiting complacency.
    Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Since complacency doesn’t appear to be in the DNA of junior running back Ammar Banire, Oswego’s coaches have been preparing to turn their backfield standout loose.
    Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • Aemond, too, for that matter, while Daemon’s arrogance continues to get Team Black into all sorts of predicaments.
    Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • But the league’s own research found that what reads as charisma in Dallas can land as arrogance in Düsseldorf.
    Sam Birchall, Fortune, 4 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complacence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacence. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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