Definition of COMPORT

Choose the Right Synonym for comport

Verb

behave, conduct, deport, comport, acquit mean to act or to cause oneself to do something in a certain way. behave may apply to the meeting of a standard of what is proper or decorous. the children behaved in church conduct implies action or behavior that shows the extent of one's power to control or direct oneself. conducted herself with unfailing good humor deport implies behaving so as to show how far one conforms to conventional rules of discipline or propriety. the hero deported himself in accord with the code of chivalry comport suggests conduct measured by what is expected or required of one in a certain class or position. comported themselves as gentlemen acquit applies to action under stress that deserves praise or meets expectations. acquitted herself well in her first assignment

Comport and Behavior

With its prefix com-, "with", the Latin word comportare meant "to bring together". So it's easy to see how in English we could say that a college's policy comports with state law, or that a visit to your parents doesn't comport with your other weekend plans, or that your aunt and uncle won't listen to anything on TV that doesn't comport with their prejudices. The "behave" sense of the word comes through French, and its essential meaning is how a person "carries" him- or herself. So you may say, for instance, that your 17-year-old comported himself well (for once!) at the wedding reception, or that an ambassador always comports herself with dignity—that is, her comportment is always dignified—or that your class comported itself in a way that was a credit to the school.

Examples of comport in a Sentence

Verb

an outfit that most definitely does not comport with the company's guidelines for dress-down days the grieving relatives comported themselves with grace and dignity during that difficult time

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

At a time when world politics are in a disgraceful state, how should a civilized adult comport himself? — Vogue, "The Top 12 Collections of the Fall 2019 Menswear Season," 23 Jan. 2019 But logic and the cutthroat politics of New York do not always comport. — Shane Goldmacher, New York Times, "Inside the Intense Scrum to Be New York’s Next Attorney General," 14 May 2018 This would comport with the theory that the plane took a U-turn after taking off on its projected northern route towards Vietnam, flying back south toward Indonesia. — Sam Blum, Popular Mechanics, "New Research Might Locate Flight MH370—And Solve One of the Greatest Aviation Mysteries of All Time," 7 Dec. 2018 Bondi told the paper in a phone interview Saturday that the demonstrators' actions didn't comport with the lessons taught by Mr. Rogers. — CBS News, "Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi responds after protesters confront her at Mr. Rogers movie," 25 June 2018 For any future meeting with US President Donald Trump, a major takeaway from Friday's events was in the ease with which Kim Jong Un comported himself. — Jamie Tarabay, CNN, "Is Kim Jong Un for real?," 27 Apr. 2018 That world still has more potential than reality, but in the meantime, the x2 comports itself decently enough. — Dieter Bohn, The Verge, "HP Chromebook x2 review: semi-pro," 27 Sep. 2018 Now, Ryan is tentatively planning to hold votes next month on multiple immigration bills, with each flank of his caucus getting a chance to back at least one piece of legislation that comports with its preferences. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Trump Evinces Interest in a ‘DACA for Wall’ Deal," 24 May 2018 And there is no sign that reality will start comporting with the GOP’s predictions any time soon. — Eric Levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "Corporations Invested Their Tax Cuts Into Stock Buybacks That Didn’t Even Work," 9 July 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Does that comport with your own experience with the violent crime increase, sheriff? — Fox News, "Morgan Freeman's team accuses CNN of defamation," 31 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'comport.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.