Meaning & use
complacently
In a self-satisfied way that shows too little concern about possible problems.
See it in a sentence
He smiled complacently, certain that nothing could threaten his lead in the race.
The board reacted complacently to warnings that sales were beginning to decline.
A note on using this word
Complacently carries a negative tone, suggesting a dangerous or unjustified confidence rather than calm reassurance.
Words with a similar meaning
smugly
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
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