Synonyms of complacent

complacent

adjective

kəm-ˈplā-sᵊnt 

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

• nonchalant
• casual
• apathetic
• careless
• uninterested
• unconcerned
• indifferent
• disinterested
• incurious
• detached
• perfunctory
• insouciant
• stoic
• uncurious
• calm
• numb
• aloof
• insensible
• cold
• callous
• pococurante
• halfhearted
• lukewarm
• tepid
• unemotional
• dispassionate
• insensitive
• lethargic
• remote
• listless
• heedless
• unfeeling
• mindless
• phlegmatic
• stolid
• impassive
• impervious
• unimpressed
• hard-hearted
• cool

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• interested
• aware
• concerned
• mindful
• conscientious
• attentive
• sensitive
• warm
• passionate
• zealous
• keen
• ardent
• heedful
• fervent
• caring
• warmhearted

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

• smug
• proud
• arrogant
• conceited
• vain
• self-satisfied
• self-important
• confident
• selfish
• vainglorious
• bigheaded
• egotistic
• prideful
• egoistic
• pompous
• important
• assured
• domineering
• self-conceited
• stuck-up
• cocky
• consequential
• overweening
• biggety
• boastful
• swellheaded
• supercilious
• snobbish
• overconfident
• bumptious
• self-opinionated
• uppity
• swaggering
• bombastic
• cavalier
• blusterous
• haughty
• snobby
• snooty
• high-and-mighty
• assumptive
• blustery
• uppish
• disdainful
• braggart
• braggy
• bragging
• holier-than-thou
• self-assured
• huffy
• self-confident
• self-assertive
• pontifical
• chesty
• pretentious
• high-handed
• toplofty
• superior
• fastuous
• presumptuous
• masterful
• self-centered
• imperious
• high-hat
• self-contented
• condescending
• peremptory
• lordly
• patronizing
• presuming
• self-asserting
• self-congratulatory
• lofty
• self-engrossed
• self-glorifying
• highfalutin
• self-dramatizing
• self-promoting
• self-adulatory
• self-gratulatory
• self-affected
• self-applauding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humble
• modest
• timid
• diffident
• egoless
• meek
• self-critical
• unassertive
• uncomplacent
• unassuming
• self-doubting
• sheepish
• unpretentious
• bashful
• down-to-earth
• shy
• shrinking
• self-distrustful
• self-reproachful
• retiring
• introverted
• mousy
• self-reproving
• demure
• overmodest
• unarrogant

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of complacent

But even where that foundational understanding exists, IT leaders can’t afford to get complacent about how technology, and the people who run it, are perceived. — Ken Feyder, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

That raises the possibility that investors are dangerously complacent about the probability of a rate hike in October. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Former president Barack Obama expressed surprise at Democrats’ expanding midterm map at a private fundraiser Wednesday night, but warned donors not to get complacent about the party’s chances, according to excerpts provided to The Washington Post. — Liz Goodwin, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026

California shouldn’t be complacent, but the state isn’t slouching on preparation, or resolve. — Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026