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Complacent

Self-satisfied and smug; content with one's situation, often unconcerned about potential problems or the needs of others.

adjective

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Imagine This

When the worshippers go to the temple, they place a cent on the bronze Buddha's belly, hoping that their wishes will be satisfied. The worshippers usually only care about their own needs and show no concern for others. A miser places a cent into the beggar’s hat and, feeling very generous, he walks away with a self-satisfied smile.

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Sounds Like

kuh-PLAY-suhnt

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Looks Like

com-PLACE-uhnt

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Remember This

The word comes from Latin complacentem, the present participle of complacēre 'to please completely'; beware of confusing complacent with complaisant, which means eager to please others.

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Other Forms

complacencenoun

complacencynoun

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Connect With

contentment, smugness, self-satisfaction, apathy, stagnation

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Note

Used mainly in negative contexts to describe a lack of motivation to improve or concern for others. Commonly followed by about or in (e.g., complacent about the status quo).

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Study Deeper

Examples

After the victory, the team grew complacent and stopped training as hard.
The company's complacent attitude toward cybersecurity led to a major breach.

Synonyms

smugself-satisfiedcontentedindifferentunconcerned

Antonyms

drivenambitiousmotivated

Etymology

From Latin complacentem, present participle of complacēre 'to please completely'; from com- 'together' + placēre 'to please', with the sense of pleasing oneself.

Mnemonic

Mnemonic: COM-PLEASE-NT — when you are complacent you are pleased with yourself; the word literally contains 'please' inside.