Definition of conformnext
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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb conform contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of conform are accommodate, adapt, adjust, and reconcile. While all these words mean "to bring one thing into correspondence with another," conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle.

refused to conform to society's values

Where would accommodate be a reasonable alternative to conform?

The words accommodate and conform can be used in similar contexts, but accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence.

accommodated his political beliefs in order to win

When could adapt be used to replace conform?

The meanings of adapt and conform largely overlap; however, adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances.

adapted themselves to the warmer climate

When would adjust be a good substitute for conform?

In some situations, the words adjust and conform are roughly equivalent. However, adjust suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism.

adjusted the budget to allow for inflation

When might reconcile be a better fit than conform?

The synonyms reconcile and conform are sometimes interchangeable, but reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible.

tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of conform At that time, the owners, and the development team committed to file a conforming site plan application within one year of the approval, which deadline the Zoning Board extended in March 2025 to November 5, 2025. Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 25 Apr. 2026 This will help ensure that students, staff and faculty can ask questions and express views without pressure to conform to an official institutional stance. Shannon Watkins, Twin Cities, 23 Apr. 2026 According to a person with knowledge of the situation, Foster’s dual roles were reviewed by the National Football League Players Association to make sure the situation conformed with the NFLPA’s regulations governing contract advisors. Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 22 Apr. 2026 Business owners, religious believers and now licensed professionals have faced mounting pressure to conform to a particular ideological framework or face penalties. Jeffrey S. Trimbath, Baltimore Sun, 20 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conform
Verb
  • The theme of each Met Gala, which sets the tone for the evening’s dress code, tends to correspond with that year’s Costume Institute fashion exhibition.
    Dalila Muata, NBC news, 5 May 2026
  • Anika Reed The Costume Institute exhibit has a distinct theme each year that corresponds with the Met Gala.
    Anika Reed, USA Today, 5 May 2026
Verb
  • This new iteration was partly handled by Room40 label boss Lawrence English, who reconstructed the original master tapes and blended them with recent performances by Lockwood and Vanessa Tomlinson, who plays the gong.
    Joshua Minsoo Kim, Pitchfork, 28 Apr. 2026
  • The Personal Blender includes two Tritan Renew blending cups and the ultra-durable Rapid Extractor Blade to make delicious smoothies and more.
    Tory Johnson, ABC News, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But Serkis’ sweetly queasy film can’t reconcile with the brutality of Orwell’s original writing.
    Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Critics haven’t been able to reconcile the film’s disparate goals.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Your ability to adapt keeps the energy alive.
    Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 3 May 2026
  • In addition, the Academy, which adapts its rules every year, retained the right to request additional information about how AI was used and the extent of human authorship in any project that uses generative AI.
    Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 3 May 2026
Verb
  • The launch is expected to coincide with the 250th anniversary in July.
    Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 28 Apr. 2026
  • This increase in spending has coincided with more layoffs in the tech sector.
    Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The explosive fact of the two artists’ racial difference found a visual correlate in the checkerboard gallery floor and white-on-black palette of the show’s tallest totem.
    Glenn Adamson, Artforum, 2 May 2026
  • After every race, his team analyzes a litany of granular data points, including which skis performed best on what kind of snow and which garments correlated with faster results.
    Justin Fenner, Robb Report, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • Because women statistically have longer life expectancies, insurers anticipate making payments over a longer period for female annuitants and adjust the monthly amount downward accordingly.
    Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 1 May 2026
  • Markets have adjusted their expectations as well.
    Sarah Min, CNBC, 1 May 2026
Verb
  • The metaphor perfectly fits the 6-foot-5 Jordan, who casts an imposing figure on the mound.
    Patrick Z. McGavin, Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026
  • The roomy interior easily fits travel essentials—think a camera, wallet, passport, portable charger, phone, and more—without feeling bulky.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Conform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conform. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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