uncomplacent

8.1

A person who wants to keep improving and does not feel satisfied with success

adjective
/ˌʌn.kəmˈpleɪ.sənt/

: inconformista

His uncomplacent nature meant he was always looking for ways to do better.

Examples

She stayed uncomplacent even after winning several awards for her work.
The team's uncomplacent attitude pushed them to keep improving every season.
She remains uncomplacent despite her recent success.
His uncomplacent attitude inspires others to strive for more.
She remained uncomplacent, always striving for improvement in her work despite her recent success.
His uncomplacent attitude motivated the team to push themselves beyond their limits.
The artist was uncomplacent, continually seeking feedback to enhance her craft.

Synonyms

dissatisfied

vsuncomplacent

44 3.2

Not happy because something does not meet your expectations

focuses on missing smug self-satisfaction rather than unmet expectations

unsatisfied

vsuncomplacent

20 3.7

Feeling unhappy because you did not get what you wanted

refers to lacking smug self-satisfaction rather than unmet needs

discontented

vsuncomplacent

3 4.3

Feeling unhappy and not satisfied with your situation

is lack of smug self-satisfaction rather than simple unhappiness

discontent

vsuncomplacent

1 5.3

Not satisfied with the present situation

is absence of self-satisfied or smug attitude rather than complaint

unpleased

vsuncomplacent

4.5

Not happy with something

expresses absence of smug self-satisfaction rather than plain displeasure

Antonyms

complacent

44 6.4

Too satisfied with yourself so you ignore problems or danger

How Complacent

smug

85 5.2

complacent

44 6.4

uncomplacent

8.1

concerned

∞ 2.2

Surface Forms

uncomplacent positive

Morphology

uncomplacent = complacent (transparent) = un + complacent

The productive negative prefix 'un-' straightforwardly negates the adjective 'complacent', yielding 'not complacent' in an obvious way.

Etymology

Uncomplacent is made from un- meaning 'not' and complacent, which comes from a root meaning 'to please' and is like the everyday word please. So being uncomplacent means 'not pleased with yourself' and not self-satisfied, which explains why someone keeps trying to improve.