complacent
From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin complacēns (“very pleasing”), present participle of complacēre (“to please at the same time, be very pleasing”), from com- (“together”) + placēre (“to please”); see please and compare complaisant.
Pronunciation
Adjective
complacent (comparative more complacent, superlative most complacent)
- Uncritically satisfied with oneself or one's achievements; smug.
- He grew complacent as the years rolled on and the money rolled in.
- Unduly unworried or apathetic with regard to an apparent need or problem.
- He tried to paint his audience as complacent, yelling that if they weren't mad as hell then they weren't paying enough attention.
Usage notes
- Complacent should not be confused with its homophone, complaisant.
Synonyms
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
uncritically satisfied with oneself or one's achievements
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Further reading
- “complacent”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.
- “complacent”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911, →OCLC.
Verb
complacent
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