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 Hulk wasn’t very compliant. —Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025

Accessibility and Sustainability Colony Club has one ADA-compliant guest room. —Kate Van Dyke, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2025

Admittedly, while equally compliant on public roads, the GTD is a lot less happy at lower speeds, and the same will hold for you. —Tim Stevens, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2025

Boyles said the neighbors were compliant and understood. —Erika I. Ritchie, Oc Register, 23 Oct. 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