complacency

[ kuhm-pley-suhn-see ]

noun

, plural com·pla·cen·cies.

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.

complacency

/ kəmˈpleɪsənsɪ /

noun

1. a feeling of satisfaction, esp extreme self-satisfaction; smugness
2. an obsolete word for complaisance

Other Words From

• noncom·placence noun
• noncom·placen·cy noun plural noncomplacencies
• over·com·placence noun
• over·com·placen·cy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of complacency¹

From the Medieval Latin word complacentia, dating back to 1635–45. See complacent, -cy

Example Sentences

It accuses American Jews of “complacency.”

From Slate

But the reactions of our own elites to the behavior of the Republican Party in general, and the Trump phenomenon in particular, have increasingly given the lie to such complacency.

From Salon

She also suggested there was an element of complacency.

From BBC

"I'll be a bit more focused, no complacency and there's nothing drastic I have to change. I will be victorious."

From BBC

In retirement from the sport, he fought against complacency.

From Los Angeles Times