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

Accessibility The Noelle is an ADA-compliant hotel with additional thoughtful touches like a publicly accessible restroom, mobile check-in, and braille signage throughout the building. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Feb. 2026

Mariesa and her husband Chris hoped to raise funds for two airline-compliant electric wheelchairs, which would allow their two oldest sons to travel safely, attend medical appointments and engage more fully in everyday life. —Andy Smith, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Feb. 2026

Those levies exclude a host of goods compliant with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA, a free trade agreement. —Max Zahn, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2026

That process could ensnare thousands of Floridians who don’t have REAL ID-compliant IDs in extra paperwork and potentially remove them from the rolls. —Lawrence Mower, Miami Herald, 25 Feb. 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