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
  • Some lead actors are actively involved in the development of their shows; others are admittedly given a producer credit as a vanity title.
    Max Gao, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026
  • But this isn’t a vanity project, and the wealth gets shared in terms of screen time and idiosyncratic performances.
    David Fear, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Gonzaba was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, causing bodily injury, hit-and-run involving death/injury, vehicle theft and felony evading a peace officer with disregard for safety, police said.
    Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026
  • But Native Americans experienced slavery as stealing of relatives, as a community loss, and it was always intermingled with the stealing of their land and disregard for their sovereignty.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Critics would say ego, the desire to be an actor in the greatest show on earth.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The companies weren’t short of intelligence—they were overloaded with ego.
    Ricardo Bellino, Forbes.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • Layered within its experimental form is a commentary on immigration and 21st century America, as the family regularly encounters Latinx migrants whose own families have been disrupted by the indifference of American immigration policies.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
  • And yes, this does lead her to develop a shocking indifference toward human life.
    Katie Rife, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • In positioning New York as not just the center of our reality but others as well, Control Resonant continues a proud tradition of using the city as a monument to human pride contrasting against an inhuman menace.
    Jordan Minor, PC Magazine, 18 Sep. 2026
  • The trio have a stable of young filmmakers in their roster and pride themselves on finding new talent early.
    Aaron Couch, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026
Noun
  • When leaders’ curiosity wanes, their team members often follow suit, which can lead to observations getting missed, complacency setting in and advantages getting lost.
    Brandi Watterson, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • That’s the risk Washington is not pricing into its complacency.
    Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 27 Aug. 2026
Noun
  • What might seem arrogance in others feels merely reasonable coming from her.
    Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • But while that might suggest arrogance, Dawson’s answer to another question reflects humility.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Complacence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacence. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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