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

Organizations need cross-functional governance that ensures decisions aren’t just compliant but human-centered. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2025

The Pixel 10 packs a 4,980mAh battery capable of charging at up to 30W via wire and at 15W wirelessly via Qi2-compliant chargers. —PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025

Alongside it, the Osaka Digital Exchange (ODX) operates START, Japan’s first licensed secondary market for security tokens, including real estate tokens, through a compliant PTS framework. —Charles Morey, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

They have been instructed to buy compliant products instead. —Chloe Mayer, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 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