conformity

noun

kən-ˈfȯr-mə-tē How to pronounce conformity (audio)
Definition of conformitynext
1
as in accordance
a state of consistency the simple lifestyle of the Amish is in conformity with their ascetic religious beliefs

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2
as in compliance
the action of following a custom, rule, or law a rebellious artist who has never shown any interest in conformity to social custom

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3
as in adherence
the following of a custom, rule, or law a small community that still expected conformity to traditional gender roles

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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 conformity The leaders of the largest tech companies of the time famously led their organizations with starchy conformity or vicious sales competition. — Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2026 The psychology of intellectual conformity Beyond the politics involved there is a troubling psychological reason. — Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Oct. 2026 If a suit traditionally signals conformity and respectability, corduroy gives it a louche edge. — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026 In the late 1800s and the 1900s, as the forces of conformity and anonymity bore down on urban life, Thornton said everyday people began adding flair to their own signatures, too. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conformity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conformity
  1. accordance
  2. compliance
  3. adherence
  4. harmony
  5. conformance
  6. observation
  7. observance
Noun
  • Buhler faced two other counts of unlawful possession of a firearm that were dropped in accordance with the plea deal.
    — Harllie Stevenson, Idaho Statesman, 26 Oct. 2026
  • Foot swelling is also more likely to occur in the types of runs the Mach 7 is built for, so its jacquard mesh upper can expand in accordance.
    — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of accordance
Noun
  • Yes, but this doesn’t save a business from the compliance nightmare.
    — Daniel Kjellén, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The Justice Department routinely sends election monitors to polling locations to ensure compliance with laws and that voters’ rights are protected.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of compliance
Noun
  • In many instances Rama approaches difficult situations with restraint and adherence to dharma (righteous conduct), whereas Lakshmana is expressive, impulsive, quick to anger, and distrustful.
    — Tamanna Nangia, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The ongoing rat race between AI companies jockeying for trillion-dollar initial public offering (IPO) valuations continues to come at the cost of scientific clarity and adherence to academic norms.
    — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of adherence
Noun
  • Reality, for Doomed, hangs on the harmony of the spheres, a crystalline architecture with the power to dazzle—and, at times, to lull.
    — Ryan Meehan, Pitchfork, 26 Oct. 2026
  • The synth melody is poignant through the buds, but the upper vocal harmony and some of the upper-register atmospheric instruments are slightly buried.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of harmony
Noun
  • This is to ensure conformance to an overarching body of human values, standards, cultural norms, expectations and usability considerations.
    — Keith Tidman, Baltimore Sun, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Explain how the agent takes in tasks and context and how the output is measured against definable tolerances (targets, conformances and limits).
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of conformance
Noun
  • The speech included observations that were hawkish on inflation, mindful of the real economy, and posed questions about the promise of artificial intelligence.
    — Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Over the decades, Ernaux has examined class shame through close observation of her parents’ lives, accounted for all-consuming romantic obsession, and transcribed fleeting encounters in supermarkets and trains in the Paris suburbs.
    — Jasmine Vojdani, Vulture, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of observation
Noun
  • On White Cane Awareness Day, an annual observance celebrating the achievements and independence of visually impaired individuals, Darnes and more than 50 other veterans received a free pair of Meta smart glasses.
    — La'Tasha Givens, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Dedicated to empowering Black Philadelphians Philadelphia Martyrs Day is an annual observance that pays homage to the five Philadelphia men who fought for Black suffrage and were killed in the 1871 election.
    — Timothy Welbeck, The Conversation, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of observance

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Cite this Entry

“Conformity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conformity. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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