compliant

adjective

com·​pli·​ant kəm-ˈplī-ənt How to pronounce compliant (audio)
1
: ready or disposed to comply : submissive
a corrupt regime aided by a compliant press
was compliant and eager to please
2
: conforming to requirements
compliant software
compliantly adverb

Examples of compliant in a Sentence

I asked him for a favor, and he was compliant. The student's shirt was not compliant with the school's dress code. The software is compliant with the latest standards.
Recent Examples on the Web To make a competitive offer for Wilkins and/or Hunt, Miami would need to clear out more than $50 million in cap space in the coming days, not only to be cap compliant by Wednesday’s deadline, but to have enough room to address other positions. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024 New York City’s law immediately wiped out some 15,000 short-term rentals from Airbnb’s site when it was implemented in September, as the site automatically converted them to longer stays to remain compliant with the new rules. Amanda Hoover, WIRED, 5 Mar. 2024 This ensures your business remains compliant and financially stable, setting you on the path to long-term success. Bianca Barratt, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 The Chargers have until March 13 to be compliant after the league last week set the new ceiling at $255.4 million, an unexpectedly bold bump. Jeff Miller, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 At the airlines that responded, very few planes are compliant. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2024 Eligible parking lots, which are those considered compliant by the Buildings, Safety Engineering and Environmental Department, will be confirmed by March, said Lanard Ingram, DDA spokesman. Detroit Free Press, 21 Feb. 2024 Miami had to unload a significant amount of salary to be roster compliant by Feb. 21, the day before the season opener against Real Salt Lake. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 16 Feb. 2024 Vera Bradley Weekender Travel Bag The carry-on compliant bag features all of the must-have details to make traveling a breeze, including organizational pockets, a trolley sleeve, shoulder handles, and a crossbody strap for comfortable transport. Ali Faccenda, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'compliant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

comply + -ant entry 2

Note: The meaning of compliant has most likely been influenced by the etymologically unrelated word pliant.

First Known Use

1642, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of compliant was in 1642

Dictionary Entries Near compliant

Cite this Entry

“Compliant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compliant. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

compliant

adjective
com·​pli·​ant kəm-ˈplī-ənt How to pronounce compliant (audio)
: ready or willing to comply : submissive
compliantly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on compliant

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