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
Example Sentences
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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
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
His complacence is more nauseating than his weakness.
—Katherine Dunn, The New Yorker, 4 May 2020
There's been a lot of years of complacence from a lot of people who thought everything was OK but weren't really listening to what was going on and what wasn't OK.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2019
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
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
His complacence is more nauseating than his weakness.
—Katherine Dunn, The New Yorker, 4 May 2020
There's been a lot of years of complacence from a lot of people who thought everything was OK but weren't really listening to what was going on and what wasn't OK.
—Gary Graff, Billboard, 4 Oct. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacence
Noun
-
Even as the young man attempts to ignore the din of city life outside his window, his fear of losing his vanity is ultimately what disrupts his fantasies.—
Abby Monteil,
Them.,
15 Oct. 2025
-
While Lee road trips around Osage County, Betty Jo sits at the vanity, deciding whether to put on her wedding ring.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
15 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And this misapplication, whether through inappropriate comparisons and limited context, or a disregard for methodological boundaries, risks undermining both consumer and stakeholder trust in sustainability claims and data integrity—and misleading investments and interventions.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
13 Oct. 2025
-
In March 2024, Karen was arrested and charged with a DUI and DWI, negligently driving a vehicle in a careless and imprudent manner endangering property, life, and person, as well as recklessly driving a vehicle in wanton and willful disregard for the safety of persons and property.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Prior to the game, Jenkins’ biggest issue was likely a bruised ego.—
Walter Villa,
Miami Herald,
15 Oct. 2025
-
Both investors emphasized Chavarria’s authenticity and lack of ego as key factors in their decision to back him.—
Ritu Upadhyay,
Footwear News,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And yet, through the brown teeth and the raggedy clothing and the indifference of the opposite sex, Tupac found someone within the long gray hallways whose presence would prove life-changing.—
Jeff Pearlman,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
-
That attitude of indifference can be a significant advantage in the workplace.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
16 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The boutique hotel is named for the beloved adjunct professor and longtime Clemson mayor, the late Larry Abernathy, channeling his passion and pride for the university and city into the guest experience.—
Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin,
Southern Living,
17 Oct. 2025
-
This admission seemed sad—critics are supposed to take pride in withstanding disagreement.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Once again, Farley is wary of letting complacency creep in.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
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The executives have chuckled at the team’s seeming complacency and incapacity for change, which culminated in a 43-119 record in 2025, a finish that put the club on par with the 2024 Chicago White Sox and 1962 New York Mets in terms of futility.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Professional arrogance, that is, that pushed Atkinson to exceed everybody’s expectations … except his own.—
Aaron Portzline,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
True to his overconfidence-bordering-on-arrogance nature, new intern Wes earlier in the episode did not follow instructions and attended to patients without permission.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
16 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complacence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacence. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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