easy
After winning once, the team became complacent and stopped practising its weakest skills.
What does Complacent mean?
Complacent means too pleased or too unconcerned to notice that something needs care or improvement.
Dictionary definition
Too satisfied with yourself or with the way things are, especially when this leaves you unaware of problems; also showing too little concern about a situation that needs attention.
Example sentences
Complacent in a sentence
medium
He gave a complacent smile before anyone had checked whether his answer was right.
medium
We should not be complacent about the loose gate just because it has not caused a problem yet.
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Practice the meaning of Complacent
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
Which action most clearly shows a complacent attitude after an easy win?
The assumption that no further effort is needed turns satisfaction into complacency.
Practice 2
Why is confident not always a synonym for complacent?
Confidence can coexist with preparation. Complacent usually criticizes excessive satisfaction or a lack of concern.
Practice 3
Choose the noun: "The surprise defeat exposed the team's ___."
Complacency names the attitude. Complacent describes someone, while complacently describes how they act.
Practice complete
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Complacent
Voice settings
Sounds like
kuhm · play · sunt · strongest beat: play
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
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WordComplacent.
Partadjective.
MeaningComplacent means too pleased or too unconcerned to notice that something needs care or improvement.
ExampleExample: After winning once, the team became complacent and stopped practising its weakest skills.
Word breakdown
3 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- kuhm · play · sunt
- Strongest beat
- play
- Ending
- sunt
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on play.
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Synonyms
Words like Complacent
smugUse for an expression or attitude showing excessive satisfaction with yourself.
unconcernedUse for showing too little concern about a problem; unconcerned does not always imply self-satisfaction.
Antonyms
Opposite words
vigilantUse for staying alert to possible problems, in contrast with a complacent lack of attention.
Synonym practice
Word family
Complacent word family
Base word
complacent
noun
complacency
A state of excessive satisfaction or insufficient concern about possible problems.
adverb
complacently
In a self-satisfied or insufficiently concerned way.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Complacent
Hint for students
Look for satisfaction that blocks useful attention or effort. Complacent is usually disapproving: become complacent, grow complacent, or be complacent about a problem.
Common mix-up
Calm or confident does not automatically mean complacent. In modern usage, complaisant means willing to please or oblige others; complacent usually means self-satisfied or unconcerned. Older uses overlap, so context still matters.
Try it in class or at home
Ask students to write two short reactions to a good quiz result: one confident and prepared, one complacent. Partners underline the action that reveals the difference.
Teacher prompt
In "The team became complacent after one win," which later action would reveal complacency? Contrast it with confidence supported by continued practice.
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