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 There’s also social media and its corresponding pressures to conform to certain aesthetic standards. — Stephanie Ganz, Parents, 24 Sep. 2026 Are my thoughts and actions consistently conforming to the wisdom and guidance in the Scriptures? — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2026 The world, to his way of thinking, must conform to our concepts. — Literary Hub, 21 Sep. 2026 King seemed stunned that an actual Black person had views that did not conform to her preconception of what a Black man should think. — Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 19 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
  • Mao Geping, a leading name in Chinese makeup artistry and education, will bring his distinctive approach, which blends traditional Eastern aesthetics with contemporary techniques.
    — Advertorial, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Martha Stewart reports that designers are blending vintage and modern pieces to create interiors that feel curated, personal and full of character.
    — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 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 7 Oct. 2026.

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