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

With audit trails, organizations can confidently deploy AI while remaining compliant with industry regulations. —Frederik Gregaard, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025

One of the best defenses against these sorts of attacks is the use of multi-factor authentication that’s compliant with FIDO, the industry standard developed by a consortium of organizations around the world. —Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 5 Aug. 2025

Here’s a look at Trump’s tariffs on the two countries and their exemptions: Canada’s central bank says 100% of energy exports and 95% of other exports are USMCA compliant. —Rob Gillies, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2025

All government actions and policies of inaction must be constitutionally compliant. —Mel Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 29 July 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