complacency
Americannoun
plural
complacencies-
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.
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Archaic.
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friendly civility; inclination to please; complaisance.
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a civil act.
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noun
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a feeling of satisfaction, esp extreme self-satisfaction; smugness
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an obsolete word for complaisance
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of complacency
From the Medieval Latin word complacentia, dating back to 1635–45. See complacent, -cy
Explanation
The word complacency is often hurled, in a rather scornful manner, at people who are unwilling to be political. It connotes a sense of ease and contentment with the status quo. It is a rare thing to hear the word complacency used in a purely positive way; there's always a sense of scolding to it. At best it's used to convey a person's satisfaction: "Oh? No one asked you to the prom? I've been asked three times," she said with complacency. More commonly, however, it takes on a political tone, as with large bodies of people who are unwilling to protest corruption because it doesn't touch them: "He preached and argued, but it was impossible to jostle the students from their complacency."
Vocabulary lists containing complacency
The Great Gatsby
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"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)
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Advanced English Words
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Complacency is widespread among sophisticated institutional investors who should know better, too.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 14, 2026
Complacency for him was unthinkable when a majority of his fellow citizens were denied their fundamental liberties.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2025
Complacency would be misguided, as illustrated by the current mpox outbreak that is gathering steam.
From Salon • Aug. 16, 2024
Complacency set in and was followed by panic.
From BBC • Feb. 3, 2024
Complacency shone over the speaker's shrivelled cheeks, and beamed from his horn-spectacles.
From The Delectable Duchy by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
