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.
In tandem, waivers for non-compliant materials will stop being available unless there are active efforts to qualify a domestic or allied source. — Yardley Pohl, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 Accessibility The hotel includes several ADA-compliant rooms with roll-in showers and wide entrances. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 16 Oct. 2026 Renovation work has included new flooring, creating ADA-compliant bathrooms and interior painting. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026 In 2024, the company introduced the Copilot+ PC standard, requiring the inclusion of neural processing units that ensure a minimum level of AI performance, along with compliant Surface computers. — Jordan Novet, CNBC, 7 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 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
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