adjective

complacent

/kəmˈpleɪsənt/ · say it: kuhm·PLAY·suhnt

smugly self-satisfied

In more detail

satisfied with yourself or a situation in a way that prevents you from trying to improve things; not concerned about potential problems or dangers

Examples

We cannot be complacent about safety issues in the workplace.
He became complacent after winning the first round and lost the final.

How to use complacent

Complacent is typically pejorative, implying a problematic lack of concern or self-awareness rather than justified confidence. It suggests passivity or indifference about improvement or risk, and often appears in discussions of organizational, personal, or social failure. It differs from 'content' in suggesting a more troubling blindness to problems.

Common phrases

become complacent
grow complacent
complacent attitude
dangerously complacent
fall into complacency

Synonyms

self-satisfied · smug · content · satisfied · unconcerned

Opposites

vigilant · concerned · critical

Word family

complacency (noun) · complacently (adverb)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse complacent (self-satisfied, unconcerned) with complaisant (eager to please or accommodating), which have opposite meanings.

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