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

Design For Identity Integration, Not Assimilation Too often, organizations reward conformity under the guise of culture fit. —Mary Hemphill, Phd, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Now the Trump administration is implementing an authoritarian plan to squash dissent, force conformity, and bring universities to their knees — in the name of protecting American Jews. —Sandy Tolan, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 2025

As in the past, these invocations of national security offer the pretext for the government’s efforts to stifle dissent and to mandate political conformity. —Rick Baldoz, The Conversation, 30 Apr. 2025

Today, polarization has stifled that openness, replacing critical inquiry with cautious conformity. —Michael Ashley, Forbes.com, 22 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