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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complacent
Preserving artifacts and retelling the stories of shipwrecks keeps the memories of the victims alive, Horn said, and in learning the stories people across Michigan may continue to memorialize their lives by never growing complacent on the waters of the Great Lakes.
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Sarah Moore, Freep.com, 4 Nov. 2025
The complacent faces of phony mediums swirl in my head, along with unsettling spirit photographs and images of puppies that had died with a sudden yelp for no apparent reason.
—Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025
Without the feeling of a direct threat, many people were complacent about actually doing that.
—Teri Schultz, NPR, 3 Oct. 2025
The British government should not get complacent, however.
—Ian King, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
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Her nonchalant, soft-glam is so perfectly mesmerizing, my TikTok and social media feeds are flooded with tutorials trying to re-create her signature style.—
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One fictional and the other real, the drug lords look nonchalant.—
Adjective
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But that poem is no smug cliché.—
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Marcello is looking especially smug and evil in this scene for reasons unclear.—
Adjective
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For many young women, the stiletto’s discomfort is part of the appeal, offering proof that effort and glamor remain in an age of casual sneakers.—
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Simple yet polished, the Anrabess Long Sleeve Midi Dress is perfect for a casual Thanksgiving feast or a fall day out on the town.—
Adjective
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South Florida sports history is proud to have been the host for Crump’s barrier-busting history.—
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The Big Ten is marching into the heart of Southern football with a proud swagger, daring any conference to challenge its claim as the power to beat in the College Football Playoff.—
Adjective
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This version of Ryan was arrogant, unable to conceal pride in his accomplishment.—
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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.—
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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