comply

[ kuhm-plahy ]

verb (used without object)

, com·plied, com·ply·ing.

1. to act or be in accordance with wishes, requests, demands, requirements, conditions, etc.; agree (sometimes followed by with ):

   They asked him to leave and he complied.

   She has complied with the requirements.

   Synonyms: conform, yield, acquiesce, assent, consent, obey

   Antonyms: resist, refuse

2. Obsolete. to be courteous or conciliatory.

comply

/ kəmˈplaɪ /

verb

1. usually foll by with to act in accordance with rules, wishes, etc; be obedient (to)
2. obsolete.
   to be obedient or complaisant

Derived Forms

• comˈplier, noun

Other Words From

• uncom·plying adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of comply¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Italian complire, from Spanish cumplir ( compliment ) “to fulfill, accomplish,” from Latin complēre, equivalent to com- com- + plēre “to fill”

Word History and Origins

Origin of comply¹

C17: from Italian complire, from Spanish cumplir to complete; see compliment

Example Sentences

But a few months later, the deputies union filed a labor complaint arguing that the county needed to bargain over the effects of the new ordinance before forcing deputies to comply with it.

From Los Angeles Times

We came into her world of structure ready to play around and she instantly separated us and promised to remove those of us who wouldn’t comply.

From Salon

European officials have largely stated they intend to comply with the ICC's decision, which comes after Germany and France stopped sending military aid to Israel and signals further declining goodwill towards Netanyahu's government.

From Salon

The Wall Street Journal adds that they had considered making the sale of Chrome dependent on whether Google failed to comply with limits on its search business.

From New York Times

Mr Buttler continued: "Here the only relevant difference between the claimant and her brothers is that she complied with immigration control and they did not."

From BBC

Related Words

• acquiesce
• adhere to
• give in
• give up
• obey
• observe
• quit
• satisfy
• submit