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
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
-
No doubt that playful warmth played a part in him being cast as Luffy, a hilariously nonchalant, yet utterly sincere would-be pirate.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Mar. 2026
-
To be so nonchalant about that.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Adam McKay’s toxically smug dissection of Dick Cheney fails to take the full measure of this monstrous vice-president, but even so, Bale taps into something elemental about the man’s arrogance and domineering personality.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2026
-
Most everyone in attendance at 2220 seemed to be there to meet or support one of their favorite artists, one of the devout purists of our time who manages to remain that without getting smug, lazy or feral, all common pitfalls.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 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 11 Mar. 2026.
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