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

Principals in eligible schools will receive $500 this school year for each additional compliant class, up to a maximum of $10,000, according to a memo obtained by the Daily News. — Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026

But factoring in the 90% equation, the number of non-compliant responses is about 8%. — Brian Maass, CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

When systems become too complicated, people don’t become more compliant. — Kendra MacDonald, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2026

By converting complex test datasets directly into compliant technical filings, the company plans to shorten licensing preparation cycles from years to months. — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 16 Sep. 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