complacent with

USAGE SUMMARY

"complacent with" is a valid phrase in written English.
It is typically used to express contentment or satisfaction with an outcome or situation. For example, "He was complacent with the results of his hard work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You never want to be complacent with your work.

The Guardian - Books

We have become complacent with our model democracy, and thus sloppy in the execution of elections.

The New York Times

But I can't get complacent with how I'm playing right now.

The Guardian - Sport

"Before Amazon, UK retailers were quite complacent with not a lot of focus on customer service.

The Guardian

"Frankly, people have been complacent with all this inclusiveness, political correctness," Mr. Naugle said.

The New York Times

African teenagers, unlikely to become complacent with American comforts, see great opportunity in running.

The New York Times - Sports

"We played great and got a little complacent with the lead," Billups said.

The Guardian - Sport

There is more work to do; we are not complacent with where we are".

The Guardian - Business

I'm definitely not complacent with where I'm at because I'm reaching career highs.

The Guardian - Sport

Tells about Riboud's style of management, which involves changing people around often to keep them from becoming complacent with success.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

But skeptics can also find evidence of a young LGBTQ rights movement comfortable even complacent with how far they've come.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "complacent with" to express a state of contentment that may lead to stagnation or lack of improvement. Be mindful of the negative connotations it can carry.

Common error

While "complacent with" is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "content with" or "satisfied with" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complacent with" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being satisfied to a degree that prevents further action or improvement. This aligns with Ludwig AI's confirmation that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "complacent with" is a valid and frequently used expression indicating a potentially problematic state of satisfaction, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, often carrying a negative connotation of stagnation. When using this phrase, be aware of its critical undertones and consider synonyms like "content with" or "satisfied with" to provide nuanced expressions. Overusing this phrase could also lead to repetitiveness, so diversifying word choices is always a good practice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

content with

Indicates a state of satisfaction but might imply less active engagement than "complacent with".

satisfied with

Similar to "content with", suggesting fulfillment of needs or expectations.

happy with

Emphasizes a feeling of joy or pleasure regarding a situation or outcome.

self-satisfied with

Highlights a sense of contentment derived from one's own achievements or qualities.

smug about

Suggests excessive pride and satisfaction, often to an irritating degree.

at ease with

Conveys a sense of comfort and lack of concern about a situation.

unconcerned about

Implies a lack of worry or interest, potentially suggesting indifference.

secure in

Focuses on a feeling of safety and confidence in one's position or abilities.

taking for granted

Implies a lack of appreciation for something due to overfamiliarity or overuse.

resting on laurels

Suggests a state of inaction and reliance on past achievements.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "complacent with" something?

To be "complacent with" something means to be satisfied with the current situation to the point where you stop trying to improve or change it, potentially leading to negative consequences.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "complacent with"?

Use "complacent with" when you want to describe a situation where someone is overly content and, as a result, is not motivated to make necessary improvements or address potential problems.

What are some alternative phrases I can use instead of "complacent with"?

You can use alternatives like "content with", "satisfied with", or "at ease with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a negative connotation associated with being "complacent with" something?

Yes, "complacent with" often carries a negative connotation because it suggests a lack of motivation and a potential for decline or missed opportunities due to over-satisfaction.