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
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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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of complacent
Juneja, a biotech scientist, assessed that Japan's success had made the country complacent and less outward-thinking.
—
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
When turnover is low, poor managers blend in with good ones, and even previously effective managers may grow complacent, neglecting employee motivation and productivity.
—Christine Michel Carter, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Investors growing complacent The U.S. is home to trillion-dollar companies.
—Ron Insana, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
Europe may have to wait until Silicon Valley becomes complacent with its riches or restrictive in its immigration policies.
—Dileep Rao, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for complacent 
Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024
When turnover is low, poor managers blend in with good ones, and even previously effective managers may grow complacent, neglecting employee motivation and productivity.
—Christine Michel Carter, Forbes, 5 Jan. 2025
Investors growing complacent The U.S. is home to trillion-dollar companies.
—Ron Insana, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
Europe may have to wait until Silicon Valley becomes complacent with its riches or restrictive in its immigration policies.
—Dileep Rao, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for complacent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for complacent
Adjective
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Boone recalled this week Ichiro’s nonchalant response, which left Danley with more questions than answers.—
Chad Jennings,
The Athletic,
22 Jan. 2025
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Kraft struggled with both physical and mental difficulties throughout his life, and his nonchalant attitude toward money often made his life difficult.—
Patrick Salland,
Kansas City Star,
20 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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On Vanderpump Rules, this man was smug, pathetic, punchable.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Jan. 2025
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João Franco Photo: Bravo/Mark Rogers/Bravo Deckhand/Bosun Below Deck Mediterranean Seasons 3-4 — 2nd Officer/Bosun Below Deck Down Under Season 2 — Why can’t someone knock the smug look off of this deckie turned bosun’s face?—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
31 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Columbia Women’s Ice Maiden II Boots Shopping for casual snow days?—
Genevieve Cepeda,
Travel + Leisure,
26 Jan. 2025
-
Not as a character so much as a reference point in casual dialogue.—
Glynnis MacNicol,
Rolling Stone,
26 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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It's also been something of a hit among amateur racers—Mazda is proud that each weekend, more Miatas are on track than any other make of car.—
Ars Technica,
Ars Technica,
27 Jan. 2025
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The two grew up in Deir ez-Zor, the largest city in northeastern Syria, a proud, ancient place on the banks of the Euphrates.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
The New Yorker,
27 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald return as love interest Virginia Venit and arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, respectively, and the cast includes rookies like Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and pro wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman.—
Brian Truitt,
USA TODAY,
17 Jan. 2025
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Those include genial second-year resident Dr. King (Taylor Dearden), arrogant intern Santos (Isa Briones), and doe-eyed med students Javadi (Shabana Azeez) and Whittaker (Gerran Howell).—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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Her brothers, Johnny, Aaron and Jesse Matthews, have suffered for seven years, trying in vain to pry answers from the authorities.—
Ariane Lange,
Sacramento Bee,
26 Jan. 2025
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Everyone is skewered, from journalists and critics to agents and producers to, of course, vain movie stars, in this delightful, ultimately poignant parody.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
22 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This was my chance to not be an actor, not have that stink of being an actor, that egotistical, show-off, controlling, making choices, being clever part of being an actor.—
Chris Vognar,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Dec. 2024
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The film, which centers on a group of egotistical actors making a Vietnam War movie, grossed nearly $200 million worldwide and picked up an Oscar nomination for supporting actor thanks to Robert Downey Jr.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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CFOs were not just confident about the economy as a whole.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes,
21 Jan. 2025
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The survey showed 73% of chief executives surveyed were confident in their company growth prospects, compared to 70% in September and to 64% in January last year.—
Holly Ellyatt,
CNBC,
21 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to complacent
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Cite this Entry
“Complacent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/complacent. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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