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 and Sustainability The Gasparilla Inn has several ADA-compliant guest rooms with either a king or two twin beds, a roll-in shower, and other accessibility features, such as a visual fire alarm system and a TTY phone upon request. —Jess Feldman, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026

The administration may well default to working with a compliant President Delcy Rodríguez and most of the existing government. —Richard Fontaine, The Atlantic, 4 Jan. 2026

Using a 2×12 as the tread provides the code-compliant 1-inch overhang for foot safety. —Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2026

In total, the DOT has flagged eight states for being non-compliant with CDL regulations, including California, Colorado, Minnesota, New York, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas and Washington. —Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 2 Jan. 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