comply

verb

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

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

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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.
In June, the Democratic group of senators accused the Department of Education of refusing to comply with Warren's monthslong congressional investigation into what, if any, records have been accessed by DOGE employees that could be sensitive. —Arthur Jones Ii, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2025 World powers are pressing Iran to comply with inspection requirements, while Tehran argues that its proposals are being dismissed for political reasons. —Amir Daftari, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Sep. 2025 When platforms comply with certain anti-counterfeiting measures, they could be shielded from liability if a seller offers a fake product. —Gabrielle Fonrouge,paige Tortorelli, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025 Next, employers should draft plain-language notices that comply with SB 7’s requirements. —Alonzo Martinez, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025 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 20 Sep. 2025.

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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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