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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 The group is contentious in Germany as RB Leipzig legally, but controversially, conform to the Bundesliga’s 50+1 rule, which says 50 per cent plus one share of the voting rights in any club must be held by its members. Adam Crafton, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025 Eisgruber also believes that speech should conform to norms of civility. Louis Menand, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2025 Young men are being labeled—and mocked—for taking on a persona that doesn’t conform to the traditional masculine stereotype, even though the traditional masculine stereotype is equally performative. Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 24 Sep. 2025 The following interview has been edited for clarity, length and to conform with AP style, which our news organization follows. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for conform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conform
Verb
  • WalletHub then evaluated the five dimensions using 45 relevant metrics, with their corresponding weights.
    Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Two years after the Golden State Valkyries paid $50 million as a league expansion fee, the three franchises set to enter into the league in 2028, 2029 and 2030 were announced with a corresponding $250 million expansion fee.
    Ben Pickman, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • With clean lines, chevron tufting, and tapered legs, this piece blends modern and mid-century style for a timeless look that works with just about any décor.
    Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Castlecore Castlecore continues to enchant Pinterest users, blending medieval fantasy with mystical, whimsical elements.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Nor can this ruling be reconciled with the Court’s decisions in many other cases — including recent rulings that allowed lower court orders to block pro-immigrant policies under the Biden administration.
    Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025
  • Since then, his daughter, Kerri Rawson, has publicly discussed having to reconcile the truth about her father, a churchgoer and former Cub Scout leader, with the reality of his vicious crimes.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Fueled by technology, our language adapts to new slang trends more rapidly than ever.
    Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 5 Oct. 2025
  • Crafted to adapt to the unique demands of each story, the guide provides flexibility while upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity.
    Nashville Tennessean, Nashville Tennessean, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The actress and singer appeared to be caught off guard during Monday's episode of Today after interviewer Melvin bluntly noted that the filming the movie coincided with the finalization of her divorce from Ben Affleck, who executive-produced the musical, earlier this year.
    Jessica Wang, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Oct. 2025
  • Deadline has confirmed that the original artwork was replaced by stills from the Ian Fleming spy movies over the weekend, following a social media backlash that coincided with James Bond Day on October 5.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • However, sometimes, the right play happens for the correlating gossip.
    Charlotte Wilder, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
  • La Niña years have historically correlated with dry weather in California, but hotter conditions can also mean that precipitation arrives in the form of stronger, potentially hazardous storms, amplifying flood risks.
    Anna Skinner, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some models also feature adaptive noise cancellation to adjust ANC levels and ambient modes to allow specific sounds through, which helps noise control across different environments.
    Jackie Cucco, Travel + Leisure, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Regardless, passengers will be able to control and adjust those settings, the spokesperson said.
    Mack DeGeurin, Popular Science, 2 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • There’s a lot to love about the Etronik weekender that fits up to three days’ worth of essentials, including all its handy separate compartments for dividing your clean and dirty (or wet and dry) clothes; plus, side and back-zipper pockets, too.
    Kayla Becker, Travel + Leisure, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Petite shoppers will be glad to hear that the cozy bottoms are available in both a 22- and 30-inch inseam; the former is designed to fit those under 5 feet 4 inches.
    Melony Forcier, PEOPLE, 2 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Conform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conform. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on conform

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