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Nonchalant vs Complacent - What's the difference?

nonchalant | complacent |

As adjectives the difference between nonchalant and complacent

is that nonchalant is casually calm and relaxed while complacent is uncritically satisfied with oneself or one's achievements; smug.

nonchalant

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Casually calm and relaxed.
    • We handled the whole frenetic situation with a nonchalant attitude.
  • Indifferent; unconcerned; behaving as if detached.
    • He is far too nonchalant about such a serious matter.

    Synonyms

    * (casually calm) carefree, cool, mellow, easygoing * (indifferent) , unconcerned * See also

    complacent

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Uncritically satisfied with oneself or one's achievements; smug.
  • Apathetic with regard to an apparent need or problem.

    • Usage notes

    * (term) should not be confused with its homophone, complaisant.

    Synonyms

    * smug * self-satisfied

    Derived terms

    * (l) * self-complacent

    Related terms

    * complacence * complacency

    External links

    * * ----