complacent
adjective
com·pla·cent
kəm-ˈplā-sᵊnt 
1
: marked by self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies : marked by complacency : self-satisfied
a complacent smile
2
: complaisant sense 1
complacent flattery
3
complacently
adverb
Examples of complacent in a Sentence
… I gazed at my mother's poised, beautiful profile as her face turned from side to side, calm or complacent, accepting what the route offered.
—
Donald Hall, Atlantic, October 1996
Mr. Davis organized his second great quintet in the mid-60's, but by then jazz had taken a new turn and many felt he had become passé, a complacent peacock.
—Gary Giddins, New York Times Book Review, 15 Oct. 1989
… he hopes to break through the reader's complacent indifference, make him aware of his predicament, and force him to take sides.
—Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987
Lord Lathkill … was so completely unostentatious, so very willing to pay all the attention to me, and yet so subtly complacent, so unquestionably sure of his position.
—D. H. Lawrence, The Complete Short Stories Volume III, (1922) 1981
The strong economy has made people complacent.
We have grown too complacent over the years.
We can't afford to be complacent about illiteracy.
Donald Hall, Atlantic, October 1996
Mr. Davis organized his second great quintet in the mid-60's, but by then jazz had taken a new turn and many felt he had become passé, a complacent peacock.
—Gary Giddins, New York Times Book Review, 15 Oct. 1989
… he hopes to break through the reader's complacent indifference, make him aware of his predicament, and force him to take sides.
—Monroe K. Spears, American Ambitions, 1987
Lord Lathkill … was so completely unostentatious, so very willing to pay all the attention to me, and yet so subtly complacent, so unquestionably sure of his position.
—D. H. Lawrence, The Complete Short Stories Volume III, (1922) 1981
The strong economy has made people complacent.
We have grown too complacent over the years.
We can't afford to be complacent about illiteracy.
Recent Examples on the Web
With stocks at record highs and trade uncertainty lingering, investors are divided on whether markets are complacent or there is room to push higher.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Some even cite the firm's 'Day One' culture of not getting complacent after achieving success.
—Joanna Gill, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Also, don’t become complacent with gratitude, appreciation and recognition.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
But Russia is reconstituting its armed forces, and Rutte warns of the risk of being complacent.
—Adam Rasmi, Time, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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John Towfighi, CNN Money, 11 July 2025
Some even cite the firm's 'Day One' culture of not getting complacent after achieving success.
—Joanna Gill, USA Today, 11 July 2025
Also, don’t become complacent with gratitude, appreciation and recognition.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025
But Russia is reconstituting its armed forces, and Rutte warns of the risk of being complacent.
—Adam Rasmi, Time, 20 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complacent. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
complacent
adjective
com·pla·cent
kəm-ˈplās-ᵊnt
1
: marked by complacency : self-satisfied
a complacent smile
2
: feeling or showing complaisance
complacently
adverb
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