complacently

[ kuhm-pley-suhnt-lee ]

/ kəmˈpleɪ sənt li /

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adverb

in a pleased or self-satisfied way, often without awareness of some potential danger or defect:We are all part of the system that perpetuates these injustices, and we must not stand complacently by.

in a pleasant or compliant way:The frog in the pot, unaware of the threat, simply sits complacently until he boils.

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Origin of complacently

complacent + -ly

OTHER WORDS FROM complacently

non·com·pla·cent·ly, adverbo·ver·com·pla·cent·ly, adverbun·com·pla·cent·ly, adverb

Words nearby complacently

compile, compiled language, compiler, complacency, complacent, complacently, complain, complainant, complaint, complaisance, complaisant

How to use complacently in a sentence

Musk criticized California in the interview, saying it had become complacent with its status as an economic giant and less attractive to him.
Why Elon Musk moved to Texas—and what he really thinks of California|Lee Clifford|December 8, 2020|Fortune
We got lucky early in this pandemic, and I think that made us complacent.
‘Election Day is over, and guess what?’|Eli Saslow|November 9, 2020|Washington Post
When we view leaders as villains or heroes, he noted, we can get complacent.
Six ways adults can help children make sense of a divisive election|Phyllis Fagell|October 29, 2020|Washington Post
The country that birthed Silicon Valley has become complacent about maintaining the scientific and industrial base that made the Valley possible.
America’s technological leadership is at stake in this election|Gideon Lichfield|October 29, 2020|MIT Technology Review

It’s important that people in such communities don’t get complacent and think that they are immune to these “outside” issues.
Coronado Isn’t Immune From National Issues Like Racism|Scott Douthwright|August 31, 2020|Voice of San Diego
Instead he complacently believed that because the Federal Reserve had defeated inflation, all was well with the economy.
Bernanke Vs. Summers?|Jeff Madrick|August 26, 2009|DAILY BEAST
As it came near, it proved to be the clock, with a sail hoisted, and the Goblin sitting complacently in the stern.
Davy and The Goblin|Charles E. Carryl
And the countess-dowager fanned herself complacently, and neither she nor Maude cared for the absence of a groomsman.
Elster's Folly|Mrs. Henry Wood
"Mine are enough formed, I know," complacently glancing from her attire to Ida's plain merino, and black silk apron.
Alone|Marion Harland
The bank nestles very complacently under its lower wing, and in the ratio of its size is a much better looking building.
Our Churches and Chapels|Atticus
To encourage himself, he complacently reverted to recent citizen records.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 67, Number 414, April, 1850|Various