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 Critics said his designs reinforce exclusion, gatekeeping fashion from those who don’t conform to traditional beauty standards. Jye Marshall, Fortune, 22 Jan. 2026 This officer, as his duties were prescribed by that act, is to conform precisely to the will of the President. Sandeep Gopalan, Baltimore Sun, 19 Jan. 2026 But there was a conscious effort on my part not to conform, by not joining them. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 15 Jan. 2026 Designed with input from barefoot long-distance runners in Kenya, the split helped conform to the runner’s first and second toes, encouraging a more natural motion with every stride, Nike noted. Stephen Garner, Footwear News, 14 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conform
Verb
  • Receive approximately $1,965 in premium for each contract (each contract corresponds to 100 shares).
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Tolbert’s time in Denver corresponded with the Broncos’ 2016 Super Bowl win.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 25 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The image, known as the rebel loon, blends the outline of a loon with the familiar rebellion emblem.
    Nick Lunemann, CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
  • To accelerate that shift, MCI is seeking partners to join its Global Contraceptive Development Fund, a hybrid entity that would blend philanthropic and private capital.
    Ana Castelain, Bloomberg, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • The pair reconciled, but in February 2024, another fight escalated into violence when Carnahan seized Crosby by the throat and slammed her to the floor, the cross-complaint claims.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 29 Jan. 2026
  • In the past, Cooper — who seems to have finally reconciled with his wife, Barb (Frances Turner) — devises a plan to stop the ongoing wars over power with Congresswoman Welch to get the cold fusion diode into the hands of the President of the United States (played by series newcomer Clancy Brown).
    Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Hivemind enables defense systems to sense, decide, and act, allowing autonomous platforms to adapt to dynamic environments, avoid threats, and complete missions without human intervention.
    Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 2 Feb. 2026
  • But, once again, USC adapted to having three injured players and beat Rutgers 78-75 to get back into the win column.
    Haley Sawyer, Oc Register, 1 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The latter was appointed president of Polimoda in 2006, to coincide with the school’s 20th anniversary.
    Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Conveniently, this level also coincides with the technical support zone visible on the chart above.
    Nishant Pant, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • These house entries are not correlated to bear population.
    Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2026
  • In 2013, David Kidd and Emanuele Castano shifted the research goal posts by asking if reading literary fiction (as opposed to non-fiction, popular fiction, or no reading) correlated with higher scores on what’s known as theory of mind.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Due to certain inflation adjustments in how Social Security is calculated and how past earnings are adjusted for inflation, the maximum benefit rose to $5,251 per month, totaling over $63,000 annually in 2026.
    Alexis Simmerman, Austin American Statesman, 30 Jan. 2026
  • No court date has been set, and his family is filing a petition to adjust his legal status based on his son’s military service.
    Claudia Boyd-Barrett, Los Angeles Times, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • As folks came and went, the neighborhood changed its name to fit the times—East Harlem, then Italian Harlem, then El Barrio or Spanish Harlem for those who couldn’t roll their r’s.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026
  • Plus, eight workout examples that fit the bill for zone 2, giving you ample options to experience the underrated awesomeness yourself.
    Jenny McCoy, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Conform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conform. Accessed 3 Feb. 2026.

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