compliant

adjective

com·​pli·​ant kəm-ˈplī-ənt 

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

• obedient

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

The pavilion's capacity was lowered from 3,350 to 2,840 as wider seats were installed and made compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. — ABC News, 9 July 2026

This first phase also plans to add a traffic signal, repave sidewalks and add ADA-compliant ramps at the busy Northside Boulevard and 4th Street North intersection. — Noah Daly, Idaho Statesman, 9 July 2026

Sharing often means becoming an unpaid internal consultant, and managers frequently favor compliant workers over innovators. — Mark Murphy, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Accessibility All areas of the hotel are accessible by wheelchair, with compliant door widths. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 July 2026

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

Rhymes for compliant

• client
• giant
• pliant
• scient
• defiant
• reliant
• suppliant
• noncompliant

Kids Definition

compliant

adjective

com·​pli·​ant kəm-ˈplī-ənt 

: ready or willing to comply : submissive

compliantly adverb