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 hotel has many ADA-compliant spaces, including the public entrance, guest rooms (options include a king room with a balcony, two queens, two kings with a balcony, an ocean view king with balcony, and a studio suite), registration desk, and concierge desk. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026

That inspection, and later ones, uncovered numerous non-compliant or improperly labeled marijuana, kratom and mushroom product, according to the DLCP order. —Logan Smith, CBS News, 31 May 2026

Getmany positions itself as operating within Upwork-compliant workflows, while emphasising personalised outreach over volume alone. —Craig Lebrau, USA Today, 29 May 2026

Astronomers and conservationists agreed to work with officials to implement compliant lighting across the country. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 May 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

• client
• giant
• pliant
• scient
• defiant
• reliant
• suppliant
• noncompliant

Kids Definition

compliant

adjective

com·​pli·​ant kəm-ˈplī-ənt 

: ready or willing to comply : submissive

compliantly adverb