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

Sidewalk vendors have the opportunity to get a new Los Angeles County code-compliant food cart for free as part of a new county program. —Julie Sharp, CBS News, 12 Jan. 2026

The project involves removing asbestos and lead contamination, updating the facilities to be compliant with accessibility laws, and upgrading electrical and ventilation systems. —Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 12 Jan. 2026

The wooden pathways connecting the buildings are wide, many public areas are step-free, and six ADA-compliant rooms are designed to accommodate guests with mobility needs. —Amber Kallor, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026

Usually, Phil eats at the ADA-compliant low seat at the end of the counter that’s almost always unused. —Joel Stein, HollywoodReporter, 8 Jan. 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

• 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