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 State consequences may diverge because some states conform to federal tax rules and others do not. — Carolyn Schenck, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026 The flexible hydrogel could allow the battery to conform to different pipeline shapes and sizes. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026 While outlandish, most of the basic facts here conform to reporting about the real-life events. — Hayden Field, The Verge, 8 Oct. 2026 Mass popularity usually demands conformity, and this show didn’t conform. — Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conform
Verb
  • The Rebbe corresponded with Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Basis trades are an arbitrage bet in which hedge funds are positioned long in cash Treasurys while shorting their corresponding futures contracts, with the aim of profiting from the price gap.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Connie Britton and Sam Nivola lead the series created by Nick Paley that blends mystery, dark comedy and the awkwardness of adolescence.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • In her first collaboration with a Brazilian artist, Goebel blended the DCC’s crisp formations with funk, samba, hip-hop, twerking, and the voguing of Brazil’s ballroom scene.
    — Raymond Braun, Vogue, 20 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • For all of that still to be reconciled, the essential question remains about the financing.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The technician gets one coherent answer instead of four tools to reconcile by hand, and the plant avoids the downtime that used to depend on one retiring expert’s memory.
    — Osman Koc, Forbes.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Whether Leribault can successfully adapt this centuries old institution to modern operational demands remains to be seen.
    — , CNBC, 19 Oct. 2026
  • For Stine, The Nightmare Hour short was a logical gateway into adapting his work.
    — Abbey White, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • This is Congo’s 17th Ebola outbreak and has spread to eight provinces, coinciding with an escalation of decades-long conflict in the east between government forces and rebels.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Its release will coincide with the launch of a new SiriusXM station dedicated to the band.
    — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 21 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Because they are often correlated, the payout isn’t always as high as separate games.
    — OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers at Washington University found markedly different gut microbiomes in people at the earliest preclinical stages of Alzheimer’s, differences correlated with amyloid and tau accumulation before any cognitive symptoms appeared.
    — Holly Baines, STAT, 14 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The simple industrial design gets a neat little accent in the form of a physical knob for adjusting playback, track navigation, and volume.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The first-year Falcons head coach also does not believe the game plan will need to be adjusted heading into the matchup with the Bears.
    — Chantz Martin OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Today’s Theme There are seven starred clues, each with answers that don’t fit their allotted space.
    — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The compact design allows Bronze Blossom to fit naturally into an everyday carry setup without sacrificing durability.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Conform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conform. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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