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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
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
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Vintage Mirrors Layered on Surfaces Instead of hanging every mirror, try leaning a smaller antique mirror on a console, vanity, or shelf behind other objects.
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The bathroom had a roomy tub, large shower, double vanity and very good lighting.
Noun
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Beginning with the pilot, there’s also been an appealing restlessness to Kate, a loose physicality and prideful disregard for glamour.
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The investigation, according to the archives, cited several factors as contributing to the tragedy, including Holland’s disregard of procedures, the failure of superiors to take previous action and the inadequate preparation of crew members aboard the doomed plane.
Noun
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Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.
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Politics, Lander said, didn’t have to be a selfish endeavor driven by ego.
Noun
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Young workers have adapted to instability, ambiguity, automation, debt and institutional indifference for years now.
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All to the utter indifference of a Hollywood that hadn’t even bothered to hear of him.
Noun
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There was no plan, no standoff between gang rivals, no battle for pride and respect at 10th and K streets, Mtula Payton’s attorney told jurors Wednesday.
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Aside from hotel-quality designs, the bedding brand takes pride in their fair-trade practices and non-toxic materials, and has earned Fair Trade Certified and Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) seals.
Noun
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The biggest risk of all is complacency.
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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.
Noun
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Aerion Targaryen Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), also known as Aerion Brightflame, is a volatile and cruel Targaryen prince infamous for his arrogance and violent behavior.
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Why does confidence read as passion for a white athlete, but as arrogance for a Black one?
Cite this Entry
“Complacence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacence. Accessed 27 Jun. 2026.
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