A complacent person is very pleased with themselves or feels that they do not need to do anything about a situation, even though the situation may be uncertain or dangerous.
[disapproval]
We cannot afford to be complacent about our health. [+ about]
...the Chancellor's complacent attitude towards the far-right's activities.
Synonyms: smug, self-satisfied, pleased with yourself, resting on your laurels More Synonyms of complacent
complacentlygraded adverb [usually ADVERB with verb]
He sat back, smiling complacently at his own cleverness.
complacent in British English
(kəmˈpleɪsənt)
adjective
1.
pleased or satisfied, esp extremely self-satisfied
2. an obsolete word for complaisant
Derived forms
complacently (comˈplacently)
adverb
Word origin
C17: from Latin complacēns very pleasing, from complacēre to be most agreeable to, from com- (intensive) + placēre to please
complacent in American English
(kəmˈpleɪsənt)
adjective
1.
satisfied; esp., self-satisfied, or smug
2.
affable; complaisant
Derived forms
complacently (comˈplacently)
adverb
Word origin
L complacens, prp. of complacere, to be very pleasing < com-, intens. + placere, to please
Examples of 'complacent' in a sentence
complacent
This must be done in a way that does not excuse lazy or complacent money management.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We took it a little bit too complacent.
The Sun (2009)
We were probably a bit too complacent.
The Sun (2012)
But he warned they must not get complacent as the conflict enters its most critical phase.
The Sun (2011)
The world has become lazy and complacent.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
They were a little bit too complacent.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
We have probably been a bit complacent.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
And maybe we were getting a bit complacent.
The Sun (2015)
But we must not be complacent.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It had become a little complacent.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Maybe we were a bit complacent.
The Sun (2009)
With his complacent attitude, he was no fun to work with.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Yet we must not be complacent: there is more to be done.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Perhaps it's not surprising that they looked a little complacent.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
But with recent data showing our trading partners' growth is slowing we must not be complacent.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Maybe helmets had made us a little complacent, then.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Then he got a bit fat and a bit complacent, and he felt slow.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
If a relationship has got a little complacent, you put this right.
The Sun (2009)
I think we got a bit complacent.
The Sun (2010)
Don't squander this huge opportunity like you almost did when you got lazy and complacent in the middle of your first term.
The Sun (2015)
He added: 'We are not complacent.
The Sun (2009)
But he warned: 'We cannot become complacent.
The Sun (2013)
In other languages
complacent
British English: complacent ADJECTIVE
A complacent person is very pleased with themselves or feels that they do not need to do anything about a situation, even though the situation may be uncertain or dangerous.
We cannot afford to be complacent about our health.
American English: complacent
Brazilian Portuguese: acomodado
Chinese: 盲目乐观的
European Spanish: autocomplaciente
French: désinvolte
German: selbstzufrieden
Italian: compiaciuto
Japanese: 無頓着な
Korean: 태평한
European Portuguese: acomodado
Latin American Spanish: autocomplaciente
Chinese translation of 'complacent'
complacent
(kəmˈpleɪsnt)
adj
自满(滿)的 (zìmǎn de)
to be complacent about sth对(對)某事疏忽大意 (duì mǒushì shūhū dàyì)
(adjective)
We cannot afford to be complacent about our health.
Synonyms
smug
smug satisfaction
self-satisfied
You're so bloody self-satisfied.
pleased with yourself
resting on your laurels
pleased
They're pleased to be going home.
contented
Whenever I return to this place I feel happy and contented.
satisfied
a satisfied look
gratified
serene
unconcerned
Paul was unconcerned about what he had done.
self-righteous
self-righteous reformers
self-assured
self-contented
Opposites
troubled
,
uneasy
,
discontent
,
insecure
,
dissatisfied
,
unsatisfied
Additional synonyms
in the sense of contented
Definition
satisfied with one's situation or life
Whenever I return to this place I feel happy and contented.
Synonyms
satisfied,
happy,
pleased,
content,
comfortable,
glad,
cheerful,
at ease,
thankful,
gratified,
serene,
at peace
in the sense of pleased
They're pleased to be going home.
Synonyms
happy,
delighted,
contented,
satisfied,
thrilled,
glad,
tickled,
gratified,
over the moon (informal),
chuffed (British, slang),
euphoric,
rapt,
in high spirits,
tickled pink (informal),
pleased as punch (informal)
in the sense of satisfied
a satisfied look
Synonyms
smug,
triumphant,
complacent,
self-satisfied,
pleased with yourself,
like the cat that swallowed the canary (informal),