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
  • Neither corresponds to any investigation, case, incident, or call for service.
    — Cyrus Farivar, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
  • But the date passed with no sign of an opening and without North Korea doing corresponding works on its side.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 14 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
  • These unprecedented attacks in waters near NATO countries coincide with a growing wave of incidents attributed to Russian hybrid or gray-zone warfare tactics.
    — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 14 Oct. 2026
  • This shift coincided with a competitive Republican primary and an uncompetitive Democratic primary for governor in 2026, while both parties held competitive gubernatorial primaries in 2022.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 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
  • Holden’s ear for beats has steadily improved to fit his breakneck delivery since 2022, peaking with 2025’s Mulberry Silk Road, which was primarily laced by German producer 2000 Souls and executive-produced by Marciano.
    — Matthew Ritchie, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Surely this fits McCutcheon’s criteria of adding names for doing significant things future generations should remember, since this donation reopened the monument after its public closure.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Conform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conform. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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