compliant

adjective

com·​pli·​ant kəm-ˈplī-ənt How to pronounce compliant (audio)
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

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 Senate Parliamentarian upheld a provision in the bill prohibiting Medicaid funds from being used to reimburse health clinics that also provide elective abortions, saying that the measure was compliant with the Byrd Rule, which restricts what can be included in a budget reconciliation bill. Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 1 July 2025 Today’s prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, has proven to be far less compliant. William Pesek, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025 Easing offshore oil and gas project compliance MacDonough blocked a provision that would deem offshore oil and gas projects as automatically compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act. Alejandra O’Connell-Domenech, The Hill, 26 June 2025 Launch a compliant version — NA, functional or THC-free — to gather real-world feedback while the laws catch up. Joe Chura, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Compliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compliant. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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