compliant

[ kuhm-plahy-uhnt ]

adjective

1. complying; obeying, obliging, or yielding, especially in a submissive way:

   a man with a compliant nature.

2. manufactured or produced in accordance with a specified body of rules (usually used in combination):

   Energy Star-compliant computers.

compliant

/ kəmˈplaɪənt /

adjective

1. complying, obliging, or yielding

Derived Forms

• comˈpliantly, adverb
• comˈpliantness, noun

Other Words From

• com·pliant·ly adverb
• over·com·pliant adjective
• precom·pliant adjective
• quasi-com·pliant adjective
• quasi-com·pliant·ly adverb
• uncom·pliant adjective
• uncom·pliant·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of compliant¹

First recorded in 1635–45; comply + -ant

Example Sentences

Trump’s former national security advisor John Bolton, who was ousted in 2019, said his former boss likely picked Hegseth because he saw him as compliant.

From Los Angeles Times

This illusion of safety and normalcy is very dangerous; it is one of the primary ways that authoritarian leaders take control of a society and create compliant subjects.

From Salon

They have been planning for this moment—a Republican governing trifecta buttressed by a compliant conservative supermajority on the Supreme Court—for decades.

From Slate

“We returned the money to be compliant with city and state laws,” said Meraz, the De León campaign consultant.

From Los Angeles Times

After receiving a thermal report from Nick that noted “fire doors and fire breaks require attention”, Cala says attempts were made to have them inspected despite them being compliant, but this "was not facilitated by the customer", and no evidence was provided to support reports of air-flow issues.

From BBC

Related Words

• docile
• flexible
• willing