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

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

This intellectual conformity and reluctance to challenge the status quo further diminish our individual agency. —Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025

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