Definition

Noun: - A feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements: "Self-complacency" refers to a state of being pleased with oneself, often to the point of being unaware of deficiencies or potential dangers. It is synonymous with smugness or self-satisfaction.

Usage

"Self-complacency" is a formal noun used to describe a negative or potentially dangerous state of mind. It implies a lack of self-awareness, ambition, or concern for improvement. It is often used in critical or cautionary contexts.

Examples

• His self-complacency after the initial success prevented him from seeing the coming challenges.
• The team's self-complacency was their downfall; they stopped innovating and were soon overtaken by competitors.
• She warned against the dangers of self-complacency in a rapidly changing world.

Advanced Usage

• "to lapse into self-complacency": to fall into a state of being self-satisfied.
  • After winning the award, the artist lapsed into self-complacency and produced no new work for years.
• "a mood of self-complacency": a general atmosphere or feeling of smug satisfaction.
  • A mood of self-complacency had settled over the administration, blinding them to public discontent.

Variants and Related Words

• Complacency (n): A feeling of quiet pleasure or security, often while unaware of potential danger. This is the more common form; "self-complacency" emphasizes the focus on the .
  • Complacency is the enemy of progress.
• Self-satisfaction (n): A feeling of satisfaction with oneself or one's situation. This can be neutral or slightly negative, similar to self-complacency.
• Smugness (n): Excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements. This has a stronger negative connotation than self-complacency.

Synonyms

• Smugness: Offensive display of excessive self-satisfaction.
• Self-satisfaction: Satisfaction with oneself.
• Self-congratulation: The act of congratulating oneself.

Antonyms

• Dissatisfaction: Lack of satisfaction.
• Humility: A modest view of one's own importance.
• Self-doubt: Lack of confidence in oneself.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Resting on one's laurels": To be so satisfied with past achievements that one makes no further effort. This concept is closely related to the state of self-complacency.
  • The company cannot afford to rest on its laurels in such a competitive market.

Noun

1. the feeling you have when you are satisfied with yourself
   • his complacency was absolutely disgusting