What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
complacency
Example
His complacency led to his downfall. [complacency: noun]
Example
She was complacent in her job and didn't strive for improvement. [complacent: adjective]
contentment
Example
He found contentment in the simple things in life. [contentment: noun]
Example
She was content with her job and didn't feel the need to seek out other opportunities. [content: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Contentment is more commonly used than complacency in everyday language. Contentment is a positive emotion that people strive for, while complacency is a negative trait that people try to avoid.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between complacency and contentment?
Both complacency and contentment can be used in formal and informal contexts, but complacency is more commonly used in professional or academic settings to describe a negative attitude or behavior.
