Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

complacent

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of complacent

1 having or showing a lack of interest or concern
  • The auditors were taken aback by his complacent response to their findings of fraud.
Synonyms of complacent

apathetic, casual, disinterested, incurious, indifferent, insensible, insouciant, nonchalant, perfunctory, unconcerned, uncurious, uninterested
Words Related to complacent

halfhearted, lukewarm, tepid

aloof, cold, numb, remote, unemotional

callous, hard-hearted, insensitive, unfeeling

calm, cool, detached, dispassionate

careless, heedless, mindless

impassive, impervious, phlegmatic, stoic (or stoical), stolid

lethargic, listless

unimpressed
Near Antonyms of complacent

attentive, aware, conscientious, heedful, mindful

caring, sensitive, warmhearted

ardent, fervent, keen, passionate, warm, zealous
Antonyms of complacent

concerned, interested
2 having too high an opinion of oneself
  • a complacent junior exec who was certain of his indispensability to the company
Synonyms of complacent

assured, bigheaded, conceited, consequential, egoistic (also egoistical), egotistic (or egotistical), important, overweening, pompous, prideful, proud, self-conceited, self-important, self-opinionated, self-satisfied, smug, stuck-up, swellheaded, vain, vainglorious
Words Related to complacent

blusterous, blustery, boastful, bombastic, braggart, bragging, braggy, cocky, swaggering

arrogant, bumptious, cavalier, chesty, disdainful, haughty, high-and-mighty, high-hat, huffy, lofty, lordly, masterful, pontifical, self-asserting, self-assertive, snobbish, snobby, snooty, supercilious, superior, toplofty (also toploftical), uppish, uppity

domineering, high-handed, imperious

highfalutin (also hifalutin), holier-than-thou, pretentious

overconfident, presuming, presumptuous

confident, self-assured, self-confident

self-adulatory, self-congratulatory, self-contented, self-gratulatory

self-applauding, self-dramatizing, self-glorifying, self-promoting

self-affected, self-centered, self-engrossed, selfish

condescending, patronizing
Near Antonyms of complacent

diffident, self-critical, self-distrustful, self-doubting, self-reproachful, self-reproving

meek, timid, unassertive

down-to-earth, unarrogant, unassuming, unpretentious

bashful, demure, introverted, mousy (or mousey), overmodest, retiring, sheepish, shrinking, shy
Antonyms of complacent

egoless, humble, modest, uncomplacent

Learn More about complacent

  1. See words that rhyme with complacent Dictionary: Definition of complacent Spanish Central: Translation of complacent Nglish: Translation of complacent for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of complacent for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up complacent? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games