Definition
Compliant means being willing to obey rules or regulations, or following the expectations and instructions of others without resistance or objection.
Pronunciation
US English
UK English
Part of Speech
Adjective.
Synonyms
obedient, dutiful, submissive, docile, tractable, conforming, yielding, acquiescent, cooperative, agreeable.
Antonyms
Defiant, disobedient, noncompliant, resistant, rebellious, uncooperative, recalcitrant, obstinate, contrary, refractory.
Word Forms
| Part of Speech | Words |
|---|---|
| Noun | compliances, compliancies, compliance, compliancy |
| Verb | complies, complied, complying, comply |
| Adjective | compliant |
| Adverb | None |
Example Sentences
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The employees were warned to be compliant with the safety regulations to avoid accidents in the workplace.
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The teacher praised the students for being compliant with the classroom rules and for their exemplary behavior.
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The banking sector is expected to be compliant with various financial regulations set by the government to prevent fraudulent activities.
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The children needed to be compliant with their medication schedule to ensure a speedy recovery from their illness.
Usage
Compliant is an adjective that describes someone or something that is willing to conform to rules, regulations or expectations. The root of the word is “comply,” which means “to obey and follow a request or command.” The suffix “-ant” is used to describe someone or something that has a tendency towards a particular behavior or quality. Therefore, when combined, the word compliant means having an inclination to obey or conform.
The word compliant is commonly used in various contexts such as the workplace, the education sector, and the legal system. In the workplace, employers usually expect their employees to be compliant with the company’s policies and procedures to ensure a safe and productive work environment. Similarly, in the education sector, students are expected to be compliant with classroom rules to maintain discipline, order, and respect.
Moreover, the legal system requires individuals and organizations to be compliant with various laws and regulations, failure to which legal action may be taken against them. For instance, businesses are expected to be compliant with environmental laws, such as waste management regulations, to minimize their impact on the environment.
Variations of the word compliant, including prefixes and suffixes, provide additional meaning and variations of the word. For example, “noncompliant” means the opposite of compliant, indicating that someone or something is unwilling to obey or conform. “Compliance” refers to the act of conforming. In contrast, “noncompliance” is the act of not complying with regulations or expectations.