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

• amenable
• biddable
• conformable
• docile
• law-abiding
• obedient
• submissive
• tractable

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

Even the most upstanding, compliant advisor can suffer catastrophic damage if a malicious or uninformed post makes it to the top of the search results. —Chad Angle, Forbes.com, 9 June 2025

The building lacks parking, the air conditioning will cost thousands to replace and the structure is not compliant with the Americans Disabilities Act — people in wheelchairs are carried up the steps. —Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 June 2025

Prosecutors have said Combs exerted financial control over the women and threatened to release video of them participating in freak offs to keep them compliant. —Samira Asma-Sadeque, People.com, 5 June 2025

Prior to the shooting, police had received a noise compliant about the party. —Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 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