complacency

American  

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

Also complacence

noun

complacencies plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• complacencies
  plural

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."

Example Sentences

Complacency was the exact thing that general manager Kelly McCrimmon was looking to eliminate when he fired coach Bruce Cassidy 74 games into the regular season as the Golden Knights floundered.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Complacency is widespread among sophisticated institutional investors who should know better, too.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 14, 2026

"Complacency is as dangerous as failure because you could look up and you'll end up in a worse place. You could stay at a job and the job could still fire you," he said.

From Salon • Sep. 20, 2024

Complacency has a pretty filthy history that features an overflowing roster of good people turned infamous.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2024

Complacency, obligingness— Obedience too, I warrant—Hush, hush, my sweet Harriet! putting her hand before my mouth, we will behave as well as we can: and that will be very well, if nobody minds us.

From The History of Sir Charles Grandison, Volume 4 (of 7) by Richardson, Samuel