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

• 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 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

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

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

Kids Definition

compliant

adjective

com·​pli·​ant kəm-ˈplī-ənt 

: ready or willing to comply : submissive

compliantly adverb