1
as in nonchalant
having or showing a lack of interest or concern
the auditors were taken aback by his complacent response to their findings of fraud
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
a complacent junior exec who was certain of his indispensability to the company
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complacent
The denim industry’s use of pumice stone is one example of this complacent mindset.
—
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
The Eastland family pushed back on the idea their father was complacent about floods.
—Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Ayton said Redick has emphasized not getting complacent, and James, who has been down this road now for the 19th time, has stressed that there’s no room to get comfortable.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the Wolves get bored or complacent with the successful process and abandon it in favor of isolation.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
The Eastland family pushed back on the idea their father was complacent about floods.
—Ashley Killough, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
Ayton said Redick has emphasized not getting complacent, and James, who has been down this road now for the 19th time, has stressed that there’s no room to get comfortable.
—Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 23 Apr. 2026
Perhaps the Wolves get bored or complacent with the successful process and abandon it in favor of isolation.
—Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 19 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
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Slattery has a knack for giving big performances that also feel nonchalant, almost like he’s been there in that backyard the whole time yelling about lettuce, and a TV production just happened to set up shop around him.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
29 May 2026
-
In the world of street style, models offer a particular brand of nonchalant cool that the industry has long been obsessed with.—
Christina Holevas,
Vogue,
25 May 2026
Adjective
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Most smug articles and books that claim to provide quick fixes come off as tone-deaf or even counterproductive.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
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But the series’ central character, played by Rachel Weisz, has enough nervous, itchy, manic energy to make the show’s narrative structure feel purposely unstable rather than safely smug.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Adjective
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Just beyond the front desk, a fire roars behind a massive stone hearth, and a live piano plays in the heart of the resort, the lobby lounge (dubbed the Living Room), a choice spot for lunch, casual meetings, or pre-dinner drinks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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Goodman, with her friendly, approachable writing style, demystified what had previously been a wonky, mathematical discipline, allowing even casual readers to feel a newfound connection with the tides of the universe.—
Rachel Syme,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
Adjective
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His eyes were on her, inviting her to be proud of his verticality.—
Jonathan Franzen,
New Yorker,
1 June 2026
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Popovich will undoubtedly be proud, thrilled and probably not too surprised.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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The tension between the two boils over into a confrontation which only Eisenhower can adjudicate, a task complicated by his own arrogant British subordinate, a wiry and dislikable General Bernard Montgomery - played with a villainous verve bordering on the pantomime by Damian Lewis.—
Daniel Jonah Wolpert,
NPR,
29 May 2026
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Public policy decisions always need to strive for middle ground, and those leadership decisions often referred to as arrogant can just as easily be called principled leadership.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
23 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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