as in follower
often disapproving
a person who behaves in a way that is considered acceptable by most people and who avoids doing things that could be considered different or unusual
They went from being angry punk rockers to bland conformists. They like to travel, but they're conformists who go to only the most popular destinations.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
as in obedient
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 conformist
Noah Rothman, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024
Instead, many of them seem to be passive or active conformists, seizing upon the opportunities that the still-present market economy or big enterprises provide for young careerists.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024
Robert B. Talisse, The Conversation, 10 Nov. 2025
Saft comes from Levittown, Long Island, the prototype for conformist, white-picketed American suburbia.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conformist
Noun
With your support, NR will continue to buck conformist pressure.
—Noah Rothman, National Review, 20 Nov. 2024
Instead, many of them seem to be passive or active conformists, seizing upon the opportunities that the still-present market economy or big enterprises provide for young careerists.
—Andrei Kolesnikov, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Additionally, our more extreme selves are also more tribal and conformist.
—Robert B. Talisse, The Conversation, 10 Nov. 2025
Saft comes from Levittown, Long Island, the prototype for conformist, white-picketed American suburbia.
—Alexandra Schwartz, New Yorker, 20 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for conformist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conformist
Noun
-
And what struck me as really interesting is just how many members were part of these groups and how many of these groups there are, specifically on Reddit, some of which have upwards of a million followers.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Late last week, Lindsey Buckingham dropped a very tantalizing tidbit while speaking to his Instagram followers about his future plans.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Her son, Navaraj, is obedient and dutiful.—
Jessica Vantine Birkenholtz,
The Conversation,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Tariffs could be 'hard sell' in election year How obedient will the congressional GOP be to Trump in an election year?—
Justin Papp,
CNBC,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
And the receiver comes off as agreeable off the field — without being docile.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
22 Mar. 2026
-
The song is that of a humpback whale, a marine giant beloved by whale watchers for its docile nature and spectacular leaps from the water, and was recorded by scientists in March 1949 in Bermuda, said researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Falmouth, Massachusetts.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
16 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The Basij is a volunteer paramilitary force subordinate to the IRGC and has played a key role in suppressing protests and enforcing government authority inside Iran.—
Claire Carter,
The Washington Examiner,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Her costume and hair shows how Linda is restricted by her times, presumed as being subordinate to her husband.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
10 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
There are nine dedicated ADA-compliant rooms.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
In the design proposal, developers listed one of the 11 units as being compliant with Evanston’s Inclusionary Housing Ordinance and sold at an affordable price.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The endgame could also involve replacing hardliners with more pliant leaders; Mojtaba Khamenei, appointed to fill his late father’s shoes, isn’t likely to succeed.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
But whether that would make Tehran more pliant, let alone spur regime change, is questionable.—
Ramin Mostaghim,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Is this suit more conformable than the costume from Revenge of the Sith?—
Ryan Parker,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 June 2022
-
Parker details that after a few meetings and sample swapping with the agency, Macy’s picked up her collection and the pair have dedicated its mission to approach size inclusive fashion in a fun yet conformable way.—
Nandi Howard,
Essence,
18 May 2021
Adjective
-
The project, which premiered at Sundance in January, is a zany and absurd exploration of a dominant-submissive relationship.—
Juliana Ukiomogbe,
InStyle,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Iran wanted Iraq to remain weak and submissive, and in the meantime, corrupt Iranian officials could suck its resources, profit personally, and leave the country an impoverished mess.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Conformist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conformist. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
