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
Bergen additionally warned the New Jersey GOP not to get complacent in the 2025 gubernatorial race.
—
Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Feb. 2025
Read more: 500 years ago, Machiavelli warned the public not to get complacent in the face of self-interested charismatic figures
This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.
—Jeff Inglis, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
That’s always easier because people start to question you but after City everyone was so positive then people start to get confident and complacent.
—James Pearce, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Over Super Bowl weekend, fans worried that Kelce was being complacent and breaking his own rule about not going out and socializing in the week before the big game, the Daily Mail reported.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Annabella Rosciglione, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Feb. 2025
Read more: 500 years ago, Machiavelli warned the public not to get complacent in the face of self-interested charismatic figures
This story is a roundup of articles from The Conversation’s archives.
—Jeff Inglis, The Conversation, 28 Jan. 2025
That’s always easier because people start to question you but after City everyone was so positive then people start to get confident and complacent.
—James Pearce, The Athletic, 26 Feb. 2025
Over Super Bowl weekend, fans worried that Kelce was being complacent and breaking his own rule about not going out and socializing in the week before the big game, the Daily Mail reported.
—Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
-
Instead, the reaction in Washington has been remarkably nonchalant, illustrating how thoroughly expectations of leader authenticity have eroded.—
Nate Bennett,
Forbes.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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And Sean was so, nonchalant about it.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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But my in-laws seemed not to catch this smug look of his, and when my mother-in-law excused herself to go to the bathroom, my father-in-law took the opportunity to go over to his desk and take out one of his special blue envelopes.—
Hazlitt,
Hazlitt,
2 Apr. 2025
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But those smug computers obviously haven’t seen a shirtless Illini coach Brad Underwood and his Super Soaker squirt gun.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
The Retreat Linen Top and matching Mid-rise Shorts, both over 40 percent off, can be styled together for a polished resort outfit or worn separately with basics for casual, everyday wear.—
Rosie Marder,
Travel + Leisure,
20 Apr. 2025
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As the Sunday evening set’s start time lingered over his head, Junior H traded his casual, pink jersey for an all-white outfit that would contrast his band’s all-black attire.—
Cerys Davies,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Mike is a native of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, the proud home of Steelers training camp, and graduated from American University in Washington, D.C.—
Mike DeFabo,
New York Times,
28 Mar. 2025
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If Holzhauer’s proud of his service and believe he’s earned the property tax exemption, then own it.—
Naperville Sun,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Ava Daniels is a young comedy writer who is unable to find work due to an insensitive tweet and her reputation for being self-centered and arrogant.—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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And the villains, of course, exuding every nastily relatable emotion; the stepmothers and sorceresses are vain, arrogant, dismissive, lonely, rude, and outrageous.—
Darren Franich,
Vulture,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Not gaining admission to a BS/MD program after years of work can feel like a setback, but rest assured that your hard work will not be in vain.—
Kristen Moon,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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Real celebrities guest-starred in often awkward encounters with the always vain and self-centered Miss Piggy.—
James Mercadante,
EW.com,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In the 1998 episode, Theroux, 53, appears briefly as an egotistical writer who flirts with Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw at a party.—
John Russell,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
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Yes: Crumb’s work is egotistical, misogynist, racist—or, more generously, a feculent parody.—
Dan Piepenbring,
Harper's Magazine,
3 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Investors are confident that such bold approaches will pay off, and the companies on the Technology list have collectively raised more than $300 million in recent years.—
Thomas Brewster,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Once a sense of consensus – or close enough – has been reached, group members can be confident that those who continue to disagree can be safely ignored or no longer tolerated.—
Jen Cole Wright,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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