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

Non-compliant licenses are still valid for driving, but they can't be used to fly domestically or enter certain federal buildings. —Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 21 Nov. 2025

The Transportation Security Administration is considering an alternative identity verification program that could allow travelers without a Real ID-compliant driver's license, or other Real ID-compliant documents like a passport, to pass security checkpoints at the airport. —Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 20 Nov. 2025

Passports are still an acceptable form of identification for both domestic and international air travel, and non-REAL ID compliant licenses are still valid for driving and other identification purposes outside of the federal requirements. —Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 20 Nov. 2025

Once the plan is finalized, companies classified as producers will be required to be fully compliant by 2030, when the rules will be fully implemented. —Meghan Hall, Sourcing Journal, 19 Nov. 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