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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Example Sentences
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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
-
Twenty years later, in a twist fit for Hollywood itself, the tiny studio once brushed off as a billionaire scion’s vanity project is poised to be an entertainment behemoth.—
Matt Sedensky,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
-
The complaints weren’t just about vanity sizing.—
Marisa McMillan,
Outside,
27 Feb. 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
-
The Iranians approached the diplomacy with arrogance, which – with absolute hubris.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
The arrogance seen in 2010 is now also on display in how Lawson-Remer is making the case for weakening term limits as part of broader changes that would give the board’s Democratic majority (and its union allies) even more clout.—
U T Editorial Board,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complacency.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacency. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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