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
Dominant players become complacent.
—
Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Complacent Experts say companies just got complacent.
—Contessa Brewer,dawn Giel, CNBC, 19 May 2026
Nobody wants that, nobody is complacent, nobody wants average.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2026
Supporters of the president's party often become more complacent after a presidential election, given their preferred party is running things.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Dr. Nadya Zhexembayeva, Forbes.com, 23 May 2026
Complacent Experts say companies just got complacent.
—Contessa Brewer,dawn Giel, CNBC, 19 May 2026
Nobody wants that, nobody is complacent, nobody wants average.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 May 2026
Supporters of the president's party often become more complacent after a presidential election, given their preferred party is running things.
—Domenico Montanaro, NPR, 9 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
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Behind the black shades, the 22-year-old looked like a mirror image of her mom, channeling Paltrow's signature nonchalant pose.—
Chanel Vargas,
InStyle,
5 June 2026
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The toxic dating myth that's derailing our relationships Being unbothered and nonchalant has become a dating ideal, accelerated by a swiping culture that has eroded our ability to connect in person.—
Sabrina Romanoff,
CNBC,
5 June 2026
Adjective
-
Most smug articles and books that claim to provide quick fixes come off as tone-deaf or even counterproductive.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
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But the series’ central character, played by Rachel Weisz, has enough nervous, itchy, manic energy to make the show’s narrative structure feel purposely unstable rather than safely smug.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
Seventeen food and beverage options include beachside food trucks for casual family meals.—
Beth Luberecki,
USA Today,
16 June 2026
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Pasjoli is his more casual French neighborhood bistro.—
Stephanie Breijo,
Los Angeles Times,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
Citadel is proud not to have a touchy-feely atmosphere.—
Gary Sernovitz,
New Yorker,
15 June 2026
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From a family cooking class to golf-watching gatherings, these 28 Father’s Day celebrations are sure to make dad proud.—
Samantha Nelson,
Chicago Tribune,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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The two roles underline the actor’s formidable versatility, all skittish panic in the former and arrogant sociopathy in the other.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
13 June 2026
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Washington State’s beauty is almost arrogant in its expansiveness.—
C Pam Zhang,
Travel + Leisure,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.
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