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

About 94% of the population, or the passengers that transit through a TSA checkpoint today, have a REAL ID compliant driver’s license or an acceptable form of ID, like a passport. —Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026

And so educational institutions have to be compliant to him. —Anne Applebaum, The Atlantic, 23 Jan. 2026

Accessibility The hotel is compliant with ADA standards and welcomes guests of all abilities. —Paul Oswell, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Jan. 2026

After he’s handcuffed, a compliant Huffman asks the officers about the legality of using binoculars at night. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 22 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