Synonyms of complacency

complacency

noun

kəm-ˈplā-sᵊn(t)-sē 

as in vanity

an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements

a momentary complacency that was quickly dispelled by the shock of cold reality

Synonyms & Similar Words

• vanity
• ego
• pridefulness
• pride
• arrogance
• complacence
• smugness
• self-satisfaction
• confidence
• egotism
• superiority
• vainglory
• conceitedness
• pomposity
• self-conceit
• self-love
• vainness
• pompousness
• conceit
• self-importance
• self-congratulation
• amour propre
• assurance
• swelled head
• vaingloriousness
• self-admiration
• self-glory
• self-opinion
• bighead
• self-esteem
• self-assumption
• swellheadedness
• self-confidence
• self-assurance
• overconfidence
• self-righteousness
• hubris
• selfishness
• snobbishness
• haughtiness
• superciliousness
• imperiousness
• presumption
• disdainfulness
• self-assertion
• egoism
• lordliness
• pretension
• pretense
• self-respect
• self-pride
• pretentiousness
• self-centeredness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humility
• modesty
• diffidence
• humbleness
• timidity
• altruism
• unselfishness
• self-doubt
• passivity
• shyness
• bashfulness
• passiveness
• self-loathing
• self-disgust
• self-hate
• demureness
• timidness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of complacency

None of this is irreversible, which is precisely why the CDC’s complacency is so hard to forgive. — A.j. Russo, Baltimore Sun, 25 Aug. 2026

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

But when the October 7 attacks shattered that complacency, Israel’s response was to go all-in on military escalation. — Marc Lynch, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026