comply

verb

com·​ply kəm-ˈplī How to pronounce comply (audio)
complied; complying
Synonyms of comply

intransitive verb

1
: to conform, submit, or adapt (as to a regulation or to another's wishes) as required or requested
comply with federal law
the devices comply with industry standards
2
obsolete : to be ceremoniously courteous

Synonyms of comply

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Examples of comply in a Sentence

I asked the waitress to refill my coffee cup and she happily complied. There will be penalties against individuals who fail to comply.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Giant cargo carriers would have little reason to comply with Chinese requests to divert their course. — Eugene Gholz, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026 The passenger, identified as Jianquan Bo, complied and was taken into custody. — Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 Businesses need a response plan before officers arrive Employers must comply with employment eligibility verification requirements. — Ascend Agency, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026 That agency is responsible for protecting consumers from financial harm and ensuring financial institutions comply with federal rules. — Chiara Eisner, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for comply

Word History

Etymology

earlier, "to accommodate oneself (to), go along (with), meet the expectations (of), satisfy (obligations of courtesy)," borrowed from Spanish cumplir in this sense, from the earlier transitive senses "carry out, execute, fulfill," going back, with conjugation change, to Latin complēre "to fill" — more at complete entry 1

Note: The verb comply appears more likely to have been borrowed directly from Spanish rather than via Italian (pace the Oxford English Dictionary, first edition). Its use in literate discourse may have grown out of the vogue for Spanish romances that began with The mirrour of princely deedes and knighthood, a translation by Margaret Tyler of Diego Ortúñez de Calahorra's Espejo de príncipes y caballeros that was first printed in 1578. An early example of comply in the relevant sense occurs in another translation of Espejo, by "R.P." (Robert Parry or Parke), printed about 1586: "that the counsaile which you doe aske of your nobles & subiects, is more to complie with them, than anie good will you haue to be counsailed" (The third part of the first booke, of the Mirrour of knighthood). The form of the verb shows assimilation to other verbs ending in -ply, as apply, imply, reply entry 1, and supply entry 1 (which, excepting the last, are not etymologically related).

First Known Use

1602, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of comply was in 1602

Rhymes for comply

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Browse Nearby Words

compluvium
comply
compo
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Cite this Entry

“Comply.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comply. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

comply

verb
com·​ply kəm-ˈplī How to pronounce comply (audio)
complied; complying
: to act in agreement with another's wishes or in obedience to a rule
comply with a request
complier
-ˈplī(-ə)r
noun

More from Merriam-Webster on comply

Nglish: Translation of comply for Spanish Speakers

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