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complacency Definition

com·pla·cency (kəm plā′sən sē)

noun

quiet satisfaction; contentment; often, specif., self-satisfaction, or smugness

Etymology: LL complacentia < L complacens: see complacent

complacency Synonyms

complacency

n.

contentment, smugness, sense of security; see arrogance, satisfaction 2.

complacency Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • shatter: But if the last bit doesn't shatter any complacency residing in Thatcher loyalists then Ludlam and Smith press the point further.
  • breed: Total subsidy followed by generous grants had bred alarming complacency.
  • shake: The paper shook the complacency of the US and EU.
  • afford: No one can change a character that affords complacency.
  • avoid: Yet, there are also many reasons to avoid complacency.
  • challenge: The book challenges any complacency about eh situation in China: persecution is a daily reality for millions.

Preposition: on

  • part: Any complacency on the part of universities disappeared following the cuts of 1981.
  • issue: The draft must show no complacency on the skills issue, in particular the skills levels needed to deliver sustainable prosperity.

Adjective modifier

  • smug: The smug complacency displayed in the recent Budget was therefore understandable up to a point.
  • dangerous: The problem with this account is that it gives rise to a dangerous complacency.
  • such: The text carries a poignant warning to guard against such complacency.
  • official: Here we find a real contrast between the national commitment to renewal of the post-war years, and the official complacency of the nineties.
  • much: I think you have just identified the cause of so much complacency in the UK property market.
  • institutional: Today, we face an added challenge - deep, institutional complacency.

Modifies a noun

  • set: If complacency sets in, they just stop seeing each other.

Noun used with modifier

  • breed: That may well be true, but smugness breeds complacency, and that is dangerous.

Possessives

  • government: Last 12th November, he said that " The Government's complacency on beating crime should be exposed " .

Preposition: in

  • face: Their lack of anger can simply be a lack of care, and complacency in the face of sin.

Preposition: of

  • government: Speaking after the debate, Norman said: " I am very angry at the insulting complacency of the government on this issue.
  • people: I think there is a general complacency of some people.