conformity

noun

con·​for·​mi·​ty kən-ˈfȯr-mə-tē 

plural conformities

1

: correspondence in form, manner, or character : agreement

behaved in conformity with her beliefs

2

: an act or instance of conforming

her conformity with the latest fashions

3

: action in accordance with some specified standard or authority

conformity to social custom

conformity with the federal law and state insurance codes

Synonyms

• accord
• accordance
• agreement
• conformance
• congruence
• congruency
• congruity
• consonance
• harmony
• tune

Examples of conformity in a Sentence

The corporate culture demands a certain conformity of appearance.

the simple lifestyle of the Amish is in conformity with their ascetic religious beliefs

Recent Examples on the Web

So what coherent message emerges from these surreal dreams of conformity? —Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 23 Apr. 2025

What Maryland public school systems need is not the inflexible conformity demanded by such plans. —Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 13 Apr. 2025

In confidential interviews, students voiced deep frustration that their academic experience is being eclipsed by ideological imperatives, with many lamenting the intrusion of political conformity into spaces meant for intellectual and professional growth. —Kevin Waldman, Twin Cities, 10 Apr. 2025

Under Josef Stalin, academic survival depended less on scholarly merit than on conformity to official doctrine. —Iveta Silova, The Conversation, 9 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for conformity

• deformity
• enormity
• disconformity
• nonconformity
• unconformity
• uniformity
• nonuniformity

Kids Definition

conformity

noun

con·​for·​mi·​ty kən-ˈfȯr-mət-ē 

plural conformities

1

: agreement in form, manner, or character

behaved in conformity with their beliefs

2

: action in accordance with a standard or authority : obedience

conformity to social custom