completely complacent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely complacent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is entirely self-satisfied and unbothered by potential problems or issues. Example: "Despite the warnings about the impending crisis, the management remained completely complacent, believing everything would resolve itself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Completely complacent".

The New Yorker

"The CAA has been completely complacent about these rules (for pilots to report sleeping incidents).

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"In the second half when we could have been more tired and complacent thinking about the result, we were completely the opposite.

BBC

European banking officials, who completely missed the depth of the crisis, still seem weirdly complacent.

The New York Times

Thorburn's fellow women's officer, Imogen Grant, said the comparison with scholarships for Aboriginal Australians was a "completely inappropriate", and that there was no excuse for the university to be "complacent about discrimination".

The Guardian

I was complacent.

The New York Times - Sports

That seems complacent.

The Economist

But it became complacent.

The Economist

Yet we remain complacent.

Independent

Unfortunately, investors are complacent.

The New York Times

That looks complacent.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely complacent" to highlight a potentially dangerous state of self-satisfaction, where individuals or groups are unaware of or unconcerned about risks or problems. It's particularly effective when you want to emphasize the unwarranted nature of this ease.

Common error

Avoid using "completely complacent" in overly casual or informal settings. While grammatically correct, its somewhat formal tone can sound out of place in everyday conversation. Consider alternatives like "too relaxed" or "totally oblivious" for less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely complacent" functions as an adjectival modifier, intensifying the state of being complacent. As shown in Ludwig, it describes a subject that is entirely and perhaps dangerously at ease, lacking vigilance or concern. The Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely complacent" is a grammatically correct adjectival phrase used to describe a state of being utterly self-satisfied and unconcerned, often to a potentially dangerous degree. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is a correct and usable. While its usage is not widespread, it appears primarily in news and media contexts. When writing, use this phrase to highlight situations where unwarranted ease could lead to negative consequences, but consider less formal alternatives like "too relaxed" in casual settings. The phrase's authoritative sources include The New Yorker, BBC, The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complacent to the extreme

It's a more emphatic version of the original phrase.

utterly self-satisfied

Emphasizes the high degree of satisfaction with oneself, removing the implication of potential danger.

wholly unworried

Focuses on the absence of worry, without necessarily implying a reason for concern.

totally unconcerned

Focuses solely on the lack of worry or interest, omitting the aspect of potential risk.

completely at ease

Highlights comfort and relaxation, but downplays the negative connotation of ignoring potential issues.

entirely apathetic

Highlights the absence of feeling or emotion, moving away from the sense of unwarranted ease.

blissfully unaware

Stresses the lack of knowledge about a potential problem, rather than the lack of concern.

smugly indifferent

Highlights an arrogant lack of concern.

fully quiescent

Emphasizes inactivity and stillness, rather than a state of unbothered ease.

absolutely negligent

Shifts the focus to a failure to take proper care or precautions, which might lead to a negative outcome.

FAQs

How can I use "completely complacent" in a sentence?

You can use "completely complacent" to describe a person or group that is overly content and unaware of potential dangers. For example: "The board of directors was "completely complacent" about the company's declining market share."

What's a synonym for "completely complacent"?

Alternatives to "completely complacent" include "utterly self-satisfied", "totally unconcerned", or "blissfully unaware". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "completely complacent" or "somewhat complacent"?

The choice depends on the degree of complacency you want to express. "Completely complacent" indicates a total lack of concern, while "somewhat complacent" suggests a lesser degree of ease and lack of awareness.

What are the implications of being "completely complacent"?

Being "completely complacent" can lead to missed opportunities, failure to address emerging problems, and ultimately, negative consequences that could have been avoided with greater awareness and proactive action.