self-contentment

self-contentment

A person smiles with quiet self-contentment after finishing a good book.

Definition

Noun: A state of being satisfied with oneself, one's achievements, or one's circumstances, often implying a lack of desire for change or improvement. It is a compound noun formed from "self" (oneself) and "contentment" (a feeling of satisfaction).

Usage Examples
  • (She was satisfied with herself and her situation, showing no need for external validation.)
  • (He felt complete satisfaction with his own life and achievements.)
  • (He cautioned that being too satisfied with oneself might prevent growth or effort.)
Advanced Usage
  • "to rest in self-contentment": to remain in a state of personal satisfaction without pursuing further goals.

    • She chose to rest in self-contentment rather than chase after promotions. (She preferred to be satisfied with her current state instead of seeking advancement.)
  • "a quiet self-contentment": a subtle, unassuming form of self-satisfaction.

    • His quiet self-contentment was a stark contrast to his colleagues' constant ambition. (His calm satisfaction was different from their driven nature.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Self-content (adj): having self-contentment.

    • He is a self-content person, rarely bothered by others' opinions. (He is satisfied with himself.)
  • Self-contented (adj): a synonym of self-content, emphasizing a state of being pleased with oneself.

    • The self-contented cat purred lazily in the sun. (The cat was completely satisfied and at ease.)
Synonyms
  • Complacency: a feeling of smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself, often with a negative connotation of laziness or lack of ambition.

    • His complacency led him to ignore important changes in the industry. (His self-satisfaction caused him to be unaware of needed improvements.)
  • Self-satisfaction: a feeling of being pleased with oneself, typically for a specific achievement.

    • She smiled with self-satisfaction after finishing the project. (She was proud of her accomplishment.)
  • Contentedness: a general state of being happy and satisfied, not necessarily with oneself alone.

    • The dog's contentedness was clear as it slept by the fire. (It was happy and comfortable.)
Related Idioms
  • To be at peace with oneself: to have a calm, accepting attitude toward one's own life and identity; similar to self-contentment.

    • After years of therapy, she is finally at peace with herself. (She has achieved self-contentment.)
  • To rest on one's laurels: to be satisfied with past achievements and stop making an effort, often implying complacency.

    • He rested on his laurels after winning the award, never trying to improve again. (He became self-content with his past success.)