complacency

American  

[kuhm-pley-suhn-see] / kəmˈpleɪ sən si /

Also complacence

noun

plural

complacencies

1. a feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like; self-satisfaction or smug satisfaction with an existing situation, condition, etc.

2. Archaic.

   1. friendly civility; inclination to please; complaisance.

   2. a civil act.

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complacency British  

/ kəmˈpleɪsənsɪ /

noun

1. a feeling of satisfaction, esp extreme self-satisfaction; smugness

2. an obsolete word for complaisance

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Other Word Forms

• noncomplacence noun
• noncomplacency noun
• overcomplacence noun
• overcomplacency noun

Etymology

Origin of complacency

From the Medieval Latin word complacentia, dating back to 1635–45. See complacent, -cy

Example Sentences

The extraordinarily loose financial conditions created herd behavior among market participants and firms and complacency among policy makers, including regulators.

From The Wall Street Journal

Success continues to dominate the headlines for them, but the Bruins show no signs of complacency.

From Los Angeles Times

"Do not fall into complacency. Growth is not strong enough," she said.

From Barron's

“Safe-haven flows suggest investors are reassessing risk after a prolonged period of complacency.”

From Barron's

“Safe-haven flows suggest investors are reassessing risk after a prolonged period of complacency.”

From Barron's