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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 complacency
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
Meanwhile, some on Wall Street continue to warn of complacency in financial markets amid affronts to the Fed’s independence, persistent nerves about a bubble and increasingly fraught geopolitics.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complacency
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
Meanwhile, some on Wall Street continue to warn of complacency in financial markets amid affronts to the Fed’s independence, persistent nerves about a bubble and increasingly fraught geopolitics.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 6 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complacency
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacency
Noun
-
With the world seemingly hell-bent on her failure, indulging in the vanities of self-adornment is of little importance to Linda.—
Daniel Rodgers,
Vogue,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Lawrence is also a fan of incorporating a waterfall countertop on bathroom vanities or smaller kitchens with a peninsula countertop.—
Patricia Shannon,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Privacy and personal property concerns, rankled egos, etc.—
Tyler Estep,
AJC.com,
25 Feb. 2026
-
But even those whose egos seemed built for the brightest spotlight weren’t immune to the intense pressure.—
Louisa Thomas,
New Yorker,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The Olympics celebrate more than national pride.—
Peter Folan,
Boston Herald,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Their answers — ranging from emotional reflections on family and identity to candid admissions about pride, regret and unfinished business — reveal why season 50 isn’t just another all-star edition.—
Terry Terrones,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Bridgeman doesn’t speak with arrogance but with a calm, aw-shucks confidence.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
23 Feb. 2026
-
Chances are, whether that’s empowerment or arrogance depends on your take on Gu’s national representation.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
22 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complacency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacency. Accessed 1 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
