complacency
noun
com·pla·cen·cy
kəm-ˈplā-sᵊn(t)-sē 
plural complacencies
1
: self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies
When it comes to safety, complacency can be dangerous.
2
: an instance of usually unaware or uninformed self-satisfaction
Synonyms
- amour propre
- bighead
- complacence
- conceit
- conceitedness
- ego
- egotism
- pomposity
- pompousness
- pride
- pridefulness
- self-admiration
- self-assumption
- self-conceit
- self-congratulation
- self-esteem
- self-glory
- self-importance
- self-love
- self-opinion
- self-satisfaction
- smugness
- swelled head
- swellheadedness
- vaingloriousness
- vainglory
- vainness
- vanity
Examples of complacency in a Sentence
He sees a dangerous sense of complacency about the U.S. stock market—where investors were emboldened after the 1998 downturn was followed by a resounding snapback.
—
Bernard Wysocki, Jr., Wall Street Journal, 3 Aug. 1999
He spoke, however, with resignation, even complacency, rather than anguish.
—Harriet Ritvo, The Platypus and The Mermaid, 1997
… you say to yourself, "OK, why did it happen? Why did we make those bad engineering decisions we made in 1967 and 1986 with Challenger?" I'll tell you. It's the human element. And I suggest that there's a complacency there that comes from success.
—Alan Shepard, Yankee, October 1991
Tony Brace lived in Richmond, in circumstances of impeccable domestic content. Matthew and Susan had visited, in the early days of their marriage; driving home, they had mocked the décor and the connubial complacency.
—Penelope Lively, City Of The Mind, 1991
The public was lulled into complacency.
a momentary complacency that was quickly dispelled by the shock of cold reality
Bernard Wysocki, Jr., Wall Street Journal, 3 Aug. 1999
He spoke, however, with resignation, even complacency, rather than anguish.
—Harriet Ritvo, The Platypus and The Mermaid, 1997
… you say to yourself, "OK, why did it happen? Why did we make those bad engineering decisions we made in 1967 and 1986 with Challenger?" I'll tell you. It's the human element. And I suggest that there's a complacency there that comes from success.
—Alan Shepard, Yankee, October 1991
Tony Brace lived in Richmond, in circumstances of impeccable domestic content. Matthew and Susan had visited, in the early days of their marriage; driving home, they had mocked the décor and the connubial complacency.
—Penelope Lively, City Of The Mind, 1991
The public was lulled into complacency.
a momentary complacency that was quickly dispelled by the shock of cold reality
Recent Examples on the Web
Memories of 2016—and Hillary Clinton losing despite having a lead in the polls—make complacency among supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris impossible.
—Christine Adams / Made By History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Learning From Crypto's Experience Crypto's turbulent history provides a road map of pitfalls to avoid:
Avoid complacency: Recognize that public trust must be earned and maintained through consistent action and communication.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
First, Pascal and Joan got lulled into a sense of complacency as they’re treated to a Tahitian feast, prepared by a French-speaking Tahitian host who makes Pascal feel right at home.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
This Week Here are a few ways CEOs can avoid complacency and position their businesses for success.
—Eric Hutto, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for complacency 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Christine Adams / Made By History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024
Learning From Crypto's Experience Crypto's turbulent history provides a road map of pitfalls to avoid:
Avoid complacency: Recognize that public trust must be earned and maintained through consistent action and communication.
—Nina Turner, Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2024
First, Pascal and Joan got lulled into a sense of complacency as they’re treated to a Tahitian feast, prepared by a French-speaking Tahitian host who makes Pascal feel right at home.
—Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024
This Week Here are a few ways CEOs can avoid complacency and position their businesses for success.
—Eric Hutto, Forbes, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for complacency
Dictionary Entries Near complacency
Cite this Entry
“Complacency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complacency. Accessed 17 Nov. 2024.
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complacency
noun
com·pla·cen·cy
kəm-ˈplās-ᵊn-sē
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