Definition of complacencenext
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 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
  • Generously sized bathroom with marble vanities, enveloping terrycloth robes, and slippers.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026
  • Painting a vanity, using small doses of wallpaper, and styling with art can make a big difference.
    Marisa Suzanne Martin, The Spruce, 8 July 2026
Noun
  • All of these detention facilities have in common a fundamental disregard for our health and well-being.
    Brady Tillett, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
  • Some even disregard practice, seeing shootouts as a lottery, though preparation is generally crucial.
    Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Noun
  • Visitors would find artifacts such as the candlestand, where Washington chose humility over ego and began the peaceful transfer of power.
    Lonnie G. Bunch III, The Atlantic, 4 July 2026
  • The Aussie needed to have some amount of ego to achieve that confidence, something Wright didn’t have or realize.
    Sophie Lindberg, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2026
Noun
  • Sly and the Family Stone would join those bands on the charts soon enough, but their debut was released just after the Summer of Love to public indifference.
    Al Shipley, SPIN, 7 July 2026
  • Fairbanks then walked Max Muncy, who moved to second on defensive indifference, and Heim delivered a two-run single.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Noun
  • The history of Kaskaskia is full of stories of resilience and stubborn pride, but also of the inevitability of nature.
    Andrew Carter, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026
  • Schlanger’s pride in his Jewishness forced Goldstein to reflect on her upbringing.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Noun
  • Four years later, there’s not a hint of complacency or dejection in France.
    Rohan Nadkarni, NBC news, 4 July 2026
  • Interestingly, extreme cold warnings do not elicit such complacency or skepticism.
    Marshall Shepherd, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Noun
  • Needless to say there was no second date, and, eventually though painfully, my own arrogance had some of its rough edges worn down.
    Phil Plait, Scientific American, 26 June 2026
  • In Episode 3, Harris discussed the early arrogance of the founding fathers who made proposals for America's independence and questioned who was entitled to freedom.
    Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 24 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Complacence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacence. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

More from Merriam-Webster