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

Workplace innovation in the AI era will belong to those who are curious, not just those who are compliant. —Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2025

The state sued Huntington Beach in March 2023, alleging that the city violated state law by refusing to submit a compliant housing element and creating zoning to support more housing construction. —Claire Wang, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025

Today's children have to get between 69 and 92 vaccines in order to be fully compliant. —ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025

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