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 What’s Happening Photobiomodulation, better known as red light therapy, has moved out of dermatology clinics and into body-conforming consumer wearables like masks, belts, wraps and pods. — Hanna Wickes, Kansas City Star, 28 Sep. 2026 Not every state conforms to the federal rules, and an investor’s residence may change over the holding period, so federal tax deferral doesn’t always produce identical state-tax treatment. — Fernando Jimenez, Forbes.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Those who refuse to conform to the changing seasons can take solace in the constants, like a stellar late-week crossword from Rafael Musa. — Sean McGowan, New York Times, 25 Sep. 2026 There’s also social media and its corresponding pressures to conform to certain aesthetic standards. — Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 24 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conform
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conform
Verb
  • One signal indicated a general emergency, while another corresponded to unlawful interference or a hijacking situation.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 30 Sep. 2026
  • For now, there are signs that portions of the information supplied by the hackers correspond to real people.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Designed to be used, displayed, combined and gifted, the pieces blend everyday function with Ginori’s refined aesthetic, colorful palette and touches of gold.
    — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • The amenities in the room are unmarked, in beautiful refillable containers, and have a natural, earthy scent that blends nicely with the environment.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • Although the two reconciled, Flávio is still struggling to make ground with that base.
    — Alessandra Freitas, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2026
  • Not just that, as much as Charles would like to see his sons reconcile, William reportedly has no plans for that ever happening.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 4 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • In the kids space, Studiocanal is also adapting Dermot O’Leary’s Toto the Ninja Cat and Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking with Heyday.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 6 Oct. 2026
  • But that hands-on approach is what nonprofits are struggling to adapt to.
    — Sydney Lake, Fortune, 6 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • The episode coincided with the NFT market’s colonization of cultural assets and collectibles and the rise of its accompanying online culture.
    — Simon Denny, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The pop-up was up for three days to coincide with United Nations general assembly meeting, which saw the convergence of world leaders, dignitaries and CEOs on the city.
    — Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Even when controlling for factors like weather and medical conditions, symptom severity correlated with higher skin temperature and less daily fluctuation in body temperature, meaning their bodies weren't cooling down as much at night.
    — Will Stone, NPR, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The evidence is compelling that leadership effectiveness correlates with business performance.
    — Bill Koch, Forbes.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Verb
  • Earlier this year, the EU softened its corporate sustainability disclosure rules and adjusted its carbon pricing framework.
    — Justin Worland, Time, 3 Oct. 2026
  • The advice is nearly always the same — wait until after midnight, preferably until the hours before dawn, then give your eyes half an hour to adjust to the darkness.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Verb
  • That’s because Bogart does not wear his roles like an off-the-rack suit, but tailors them to fit.
    — Harmon Siegel, Artforum, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Ford has a lot of vision systems using AI in the background, for instance, to help make decisions on things like dimensional control of a panel or whether doors fit correctly or not.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Conform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conform. Accessed 8 Oct. 2026.

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