complacency

American  

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

Also complacence

noun

plural

complacencies

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

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

Etymology

Origin of complacency

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

Example Sentences

Amid a global energy crisis that has already led to fuel rationing in some Asian countries, cautious Roadrunner fans see investor complacency.

From The Wall Street Journal

This was a measure of how low defence and security had fallen in the nation's priorities - and a measure, too, of the complacency into which much of Europe had sunk.

From BBC

Rescuers feel human complacency has a role alongside the changing weather, and, for officials like Bornet, the former is easier to overcome than the latter.

From BBC

“I’ve been surprised by the complacency of the equity market,” he added.

From The Wall Street Journal

But that doesn’t mean complacency is the answer.

From Barron's