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
Then, the Cowboys took advantage as the Green Bay offense appeared to get complacent toward the end of the first half.
—
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Platforms had lulled users into complacent dependency, then sealed off the exits, revealing themselves as extractive monopolies.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Leaders can no longer afford to be complacent.
—Sarah Barnes-Humphrey, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Americans can no longer be complacent.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2025
Platforms had lulled users into complacent dependency, then sealed off the exits, revealing themselves as extractive monopolies.
—Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 29 Sep. 2025
Leaders can no longer afford to be complacent.
—Sarah Barnes-Humphrey, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Americans can no longer be complacent.
—The Denver Post Editorial Board, Denver Post, 17 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
-
Jordan Marshall isn’t nonchalant about anything.—
Austin Meek,
New York Times,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Backing the nonchalant trio were multiple percussionists on wind chimes, congas, shakers, and more, as well as backup singers, a bassist, and an additional guitarist.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
As a sleazy, lecherous publicist pinned in a Manhattan phone booth by a faceless sniper on the other end of the line, Farrell goes from smug condescension to breathless victimhood pretty effortlessly.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
-
But Minnesota, with or without its unapologetically smug superstar, has been the Nuggets’ kryptonite for more than a year.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The dress code was casual for the at-home event, with Khloé wearing a brown and white cow-print, loose-fitting onesie.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
2 Nov. 2025
-
Best Restaurants Forte Restaurant Modern Italian dishes are on the menu at Forte, a casual spot in Kananaskis Village.—
Lisa Kadane,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
There are certainly some top-notch barbecue restaurants that made the cut, but the Michelin selection barely scratches the surface of the South’s long, proud barbecue tradition.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
5 Nov. 2025
-
What’s left now is a proud elite program trying to scrape its way into bowl season.—
D’Joumbarey Moreau,
Miami Herald,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
31 Oct. 2025
-
The pilot opens with Powell’s character, arrogant college quarterback Russ Holliday, leading his Oregon Ducks team in the National Championship game against Georgia at the Rose Bowl.—
Angelique Jackson,
Variety,
28 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share