compliant

adjective

com·​pli·​ant kəm-ˈplī-ənt How to pronounce compliant (audio)
Synonyms of compliant
1
: ready or disposed to comply : submissive
a corrupt regime aided by a compliant press
was compliant and eager to please
2
: conforming to requirements
compliant software
compliantly adverb

Synonyms of compliant

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Examples of compliant in a Sentence

I asked him for a favor, and he was compliant. The student's shirt was not compliant with the school's dress code. The software is compliant with the latest standards.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The explanation previously offered was that Gordon’s sale ensured Newcastle were compliant for the financial year, covering the drop-off in revenue of around £40million to £60m ($54m-$82m) from missing out on European football in the coming season. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026 School zones less than 200 feet must update their school zone to be compliant with the law. — Ashley Portillo, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026 Tens of billions of dollars in tariffs have hit compliant importers especially hard. — Laura Curtis, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026 The next era will require enterprises to prove what is practical, safe, regulated, and compliant. — Nicole Casperson, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for compliant

Word History

Etymology

comply + -ant entry 2

Note: The meaning of compliant has most likely been influenced by the etymologically unrelated word pliant.

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compliant was in 1642

Rhymes for compliant

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Browse Nearby Words

compliancy
compliant
complicacy
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Cite this Entry

“Compliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compliant. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

compliant

adjective
com·​pli·​ant kəm-ˈplī-ənt How to pronounce compliant (audio)
: ready or willing to comply : submissive
compliantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on compliant

Nglish: Translation of compliant for Spanish Speakers

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