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
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Recent Examples of complacency
Though Auriemma is almost certainly harsher behind closed doors, the Huskies coach isn’t showing much concern about the apparent complacency on the court.
—
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
What roused them from complacency to defiance?
—Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Feb. 2026
Ignoring this is the first step toward complacency, which can kill liberty.
—Ken Silverstein, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
The citizens of Texas are confusing hospitality for complacency.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complacency
Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 19 Feb. 2026
What roused them from complacency to defiance?
—Joshua Hammer, The New York Review of Books, 19 Feb. 2026
Ignoring this is the first step toward complacency, which can kill liberty.
—Ken Silverstein, Twin Cities, 15 Feb. 2026
The citizens of Texas are confusing hospitality for complacency.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complacency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacency
Noun
-
Open the door to the Chamber, and you're faced with a sink, a vanity, two wardrobes, and two frosted-glass doors, behind which are a shower and a toilet.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Mar. 2026
-
But gone are the days when an effective routine also meant a cluttered bathroom vanity full of products—instead of needing multiple serums, sunscreens, and moisturizers to target different results, the latest products combine SPF and anti-aging effects all in one.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The true implications of the blast marks on Russia's rocketry ego remained vague.—
Leonard David,
Space.com,
4 Mar. 2026
-
In a way, their books are about male ego.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
There's so much pride in Target and there's so much excitement to get this company back to growth.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Burke oozes with pride when sharing stories about the historical restaurant, which sits in the heart of Mount Lookout Square.—
Kaycee Sloan,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Too few compliments make kids feel slighted, while too many can inspire arrogance.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Adam McKay’s toxically smug dissection of Dick Cheney fails to take the full measure of this monstrous vice-president, but even so, Bale taps into something elemental about the man’s arrogance and domineering personality.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complacency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacency. Accessed 11 Mar. 2026.
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