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
Relevance
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
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 complacent
But the government is remarkably complacent on this front.
—
Sarah Jeong, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2026
The old order is fraying not because Europe is weak or complacent or guilelessly reliant on diplomatic institutions, but because authoritarian powers are increasingly willing to work together to forcefully reshape the world order.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
One theory is that complacent Republicans stayed at home.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026
Wambsganss warned her party not to be complacent.
—John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Sarah Jeong, The Verge, 1 Mar. 2026
The old order is fraying not because Europe is weak or complacent or guilelessly reliant on diplomatic institutions, but because authoritarian powers are increasingly willing to work together to forcefully reshape the world order.
—Thomas Wright, The Atlantic, 15 Feb. 2026
One theory is that complacent Republicans stayed at home.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2026
Wambsganss warned her party not to be complacent.
—John Hanna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
-
What makes the shoe so appealing is its nonchalant, slip-on-and-go versatility.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
23 Feb. 2026
-
In the campaign, Waterhouse and Ramirez are shown in looks that channel Saint-Tropez’s nonchalant chic, styled by Emmanuelle Alt.—
Lisa Lockwood,
Footwear News,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Woods kept everyone guessing — a favorite hobby of his — with one word and a smug grin last week at Riviera when he was asked if playing in the Masters was off the table.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Meanwhile, a young Denholm Elliott makes for a delightfully smug Edgar Linton, and the underrated Angela Thornton brings to Isabella Linton a welcome sensuality.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Rooms have a casual glamour with Filipino touches of capiz shell, mother of pearl, coral, and sea shells.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
-
The company estimates there are at least a million tennis fans who would pony up for its app and millions more casual fans who might watch for free or listen to a podcast.—
Lucas Shaw,
Bloomberg,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
After all, Payton only weeks ago acknowledged Denver could be proud of a 14-3 season and simultaneously take a sober view of it.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix and his wife, Izzy Smoke Nix, are the proud parents of a baby girl.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Planning for more than 11 contests out of Dobbins, something only produced twice over his first six NFL seasons, isn’t just arrogant.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
10 Mar. 2026
-
Capitalize on the overwhelming support for legislative transparency and Spilka, Mariano and Attorney General Andea Campbell’s arrogant refusal to implement it.—
Joe Battenfeld,
Boston Herald,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 10 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
