Word
complacency
Meanings
a feeling of being satisfied with yourself or a situation, so you stop trying to improve or noticing potential problems
a lack of concern or vigilance about possible danger or failure, often because things seem to be going well
Definition
Complacency is a self-satisfied feeling that makes someone less alert to problems or the need to improve.
Complacency is a sense of satisfaction that leads you to stop paying close attention or making effort. It often appears after success, when people assume things will stay fine without further work. In workplaces or teams, it can cause standards to slip because risks and weaknesses get overlooked.
Examples
- After the award, the team’s complacency showed in the sloppy details they would normally have caught.
- I worry that my complacency is growing because the project has been running smoothly for weeks.
- Her complacency about the deadline vanished when she saw how much work remained.
- The manager challenged their complacency by asking what could go wrong if a key supplier failed.
- Your complacency might cost you credibility if you stop double-checking your sources.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse "complacency" with "complacency" or use it as a compliment, but it usually has a negative meaning (being too self-satisfied).
More at C1 level
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