compliant
gb/kəmplˈaɪənt/ us/kəmplˈaɪənt/
B2
English
~ 8000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
willing to obey or agree
willing to do what other people ask you to do, without saying no or fighting back.
Usage pattern:
to be compliant with [someone's wishes/requests]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "compliant" with the verb "comply." "Compliant" is an adjective (e.g., "She is compliant"), while "comply" is a verb (e.g., "She complies with the rules"). Learners also mix it up with "complain" (to say you are unhappy) and "complacent" (too satisfied and not worried about problems).
Synonyms
obedient (focuses on doing what one is told, especially by authority; close in meaning and register.)
|
submissive (stronger and more negative, suggests giving up power or control to others.)
|
docile (suggests being easy to control or manage, sometimes with a weak or passive feeling.)
Antonyms
defiant (actively refuses to obey or do what is asked, the opposite attitude of compliant.)
|
rebellious (regularly fights against control or authority instead of going along with it.)
Collocations
compliant child
|quietly compliant
|overly compliant
|docile and compliant
|a compliant attitude
Themes
social
|relationships
|work
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The new intern was so compliant that she agreed to work late every night without complaint.
- He prefers compliant students who never question his decisions.
- She had always been the compliant one in the family, doing whatever her parents wanted.
- The manager values initiative more than a compliant attitude.
- Over time he became less compliant and started to express his own opinions.
Learner examples
- The child was quiet and compliant in class.
- She is very compliant and always follows her boss's ideas.
- He was too compliant and never said what he really thought.
- The company wants workers who are compliant and easy to manage.
- At first he was compliant, but later he started to say no.
adjective
formal
C1
property
2
meeting rules, laws, or standards
following the rules, laws, or standards that are required in a situation.
Usage pattern:
to be compliant with [rules/standards/regulations]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say "compliant to" instead of the more natural "compliant with" (e.g., "The system is compliant with the standard," not "compliant to the standard"). They may also use "compliant" when the verb "comply" is needed, as in "The company must comply with the law," not "must compliant with the law."
Synonyms
conforming (emphasizes matching or fitting a rule or standard; common in formal and technical writing.)
|
compatible (often used for software, equipment, or systems that work correctly with a standard or another system.)
Antonyms
noncompliant (direct opposite; does not follow the required rules or standards, often used in legal or technical contexts.)
|
incompatible (used when a product, system, or action does not fit or work with a standard or requirement.)
Collocations
compliant with regulations
|fully compliant
|legally compliant
|GDPR-compliant
|standards-compliant
|regulatory compliant
Themes
business
|law
|technology
|work
Examples
- All new products must be fully compliant with the latest safety regulations.
- The software is now compliant with international data protection laws.
- Our privacy policy is compliant with the new industry standards.
- The building is not compliant with current fire codes and needs major upgrades.
- They hired a consultant to make sure the company stayed compliant with tax rules.
Learner examples
- The company must be compliant with the law.
- This machine is compliant with European safety rules.
- The new system is compliant with international standards.
- They changed their website to be compliant with privacy laws.
- The old factory is not compliant with modern safety rules.
adjective
technical
C2
property
3
able to bend or flex easily
able to bend or change shape easily without breaking, often used about parts in machines, materials, or body tissues.
Usage pattern:
to be compliant under [load/pressure/force]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize this is a special technical meaning and try to interpret it as "obedient" in engineering or medical texts. In those contexts, "compliant" usually describes how easily something bends or deforms, not its behavior toward rules or people.
Synonyms
flexible (general word for easy to bend; widely used in both everyday and technical contexts.)
|
pliable (suggests something that bends or moves easily without breaking; slightly more formal or technical.)
Antonyms
rigid (describes something that does not bend or change shape easily; standard technical opposite.)
|
stiff (emphasizes resistance to bending; can be used for materials, body parts, or mechanical parts.)
Collocations
compliant material
|compliant mechanism
|highly compliant
|structurally compliant
|compliant joint
Themes
engineering
|science
|technology
Examples
- The device uses a compliant mechanism instead of traditional hinges.
- This polymer is more compliant than steel, making it safer for medical implants.
- Designers chose a highly compliant joint to absorb vibration.
- The hose must be compliant enough to bend around corners without kinking.
- Lung tissue becomes less compliant with age, making breathing more difficult.
Learner examples
- The new material is very compliant and does not break easily.
- Engineers used a compliant joint to let the part move.
- This tube is compliant, so you can bend it by hand.
- The doctor said the patient's lungs were not very compliant.
- A compliant mechanism can bend instead of using a normal hinge.
Grammar
Dictionary form
compliant
IPA
GB/kəmplˈaɪənt/
US/kəmplˈaɪənt/
Syllables & stress
com - pli - ant (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (pli)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: compliant
Word family
Core family
comply
verb B2
compliance
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
noncompliant
adjective
noncompliance
noun C1
Advanced or less common
compliantly
adverb C1
Expressions
compliant with
1/kəmplˈaɪənt wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
formal
following a rule or standard
following or meeting a rule, law, or standard that is required.
Examples
- The company must be compliant with local labor laws.
- Make sure your design is compliant with the new safety standard.
- Our data practices are compliant with international regulations.