adjective
complacent
kum-PLAY-sunt/kəmˈpleɪsnt/
Too satisfied with oneself or a situation to notice risks or faults.
The complacent manager reclines contentedly while a warning gauge climbs behind him.
Etymology
Placere means “to please,” with com- perhaps strengthening it. The adjective shifted from “pleasing” to “pleased with oneself,” giving the selected sense of self-satisfaction that obscures possible danger or failure.
In context
i cannot be complacent and leave spiritual doors open so that the devil can creep in
More examples
- Don't become complacent about safety just because nothing has gone wrong.
- She is too complacent to notice the flaws in her plan.
- Strong sales make the company complacent about its growing competition.
Forms
complacent · more complacent · most complacent
complacency noun — Self-satisfaction that prevents recognizing risks or faults.
complacently adverb — With excessive satisfaction and too little concern.
Similar words
- smug
- Emphasizes annoyingly obvious pride rather than failure to recognize risks.
- self-satisfied
- Emphasizes personal satisfaction without necessarily suggesting overlooked danger.