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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complacent
This doesn’t mean the United States should be complacent.
—
Daniel R. Depetris, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
Chism won’t be taking his foot off the gas pedal or get complacent now that he’s made the team.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
If the Chiefs have some issues, and if the Eagles are either complacent or a bit deficient, that could open the door for the Ravens to win their third Vince Lombardi Trophy.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
That doesn't mean those who live along the U.S. coast should become complacent as an above-normal hurricane season is still expected.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Daniel R. Depetris, Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2025
Chism won’t be taking his foot off the gas pedal or get complacent now that he’s made the team.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 28 Aug. 2025
If the Chiefs have some issues, and if the Eagles are either complacent or a bit deficient, that could open the door for the Ravens to win their third Vince Lombardi Trophy.
—Robert Marvi, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Aug. 2025
That doesn't mean those who live along the U.S. coast should become complacent as an above-normal hurricane season is still expected.
—Mike Snider, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
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The outfit itself might sound easy to replicate but requires a nonchalant attitude and high dose of confidence to pull off, not to mention a fair amount of disposable income.—
Emily Tannenbaum,
Glamour,
20 Sep. 2025
-
The nonchalant response stood in stark contrast to the panicked phone calls from neighbors who reported hearing gunshots on their ordinarily quiet street, the Internal Affairs investigative reports show.—
Milena Malaver,
Miami Herald,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
However, Ralph has a smug attitude when talking to Brad.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Colum’s smug assurance that the wedding will happen soon is rocked when Ned shows up with news of the Grants’ suspicions about the raid.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Team it with ballet flats or sneakers for a casual day of apple-picking or tailgating this fall, or dress it up with tights and boots for holiday celebrations and other special occasions.—
Clara McMahon,
PEOPLE,
28 Sep. 2025
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The teal stood out in the parade of super-casual fits.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The low-key setting — a 6-0 thrashing of third tier opposition in the Carabao Cup third round — does not diminish the quality of strikes that Gomez’s former Inter Miami team-mate Lionel Messi would have been proud of.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
24 Sep. 2025
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In the carousel, the proud parents shared the first photos of their newborn, as well as several pictures of their family of four.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Jean stepped out as Nia approached—lean and arrogant, a cigarette pinched between her lips.—
David Wright Faladé,
New Yorker,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Gil, her nemesis, is hot, arrogant and unfortunately extremely kissable.—
Audrey Goldberg Ruoff,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Was Paul McLaughlin’s death in vain?—
Boston Herald editorial staff,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Thou shalt not take the Name of the Lord thy God in vain.—
Lina Ruiz,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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His return to the company, this time with a new, more confident persona, is the culmination of a long and unique journey.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Sep. 2025
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The actor was photographed out and about in New York in a pair of low-rise, super light wash blue baggy jeans that featured one confident rip on the knee.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
24 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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