Comply — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /kəm-ˈplī/ com·ply

Meaning & Definition of Comply

Comply (verb)

  1. to conform, submit, or adapt (as to a regulation or to another's wishes) as required or requested
  2. to be ceremoniously courteous

Comply (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in accept, consent

    similar: accede, accept, acquiesce, consent, defer, subscribe, agree, assent, concur, affiliate, ally, associate, collaborate, collude, come round, compromise, cooperate, get along, side
    opposite: differ, disagree, dissent, nonconcur, clash, collide, conflict, contrast, counter, debate, object, oppose, protest, resist

  2. as in conform

    similar: conform, acquit, act, bear, comport, conduct, demean, deport, quit, check, collect, compose, constrain, contain, control, curb, handle, inhibit, move, quiet, repress, restrain, obey
    opposite: act out, act up, carry on, misbehave, misconduct, disobey, rebel

Related Entry: Comply (with) (verb)

Comply (with) is a different word from Comply. The synonyms below are for comply (with), not for comply.

  1. to act according to the commands of

    "the guards rushed to comply with the warden's orders"

    similar: adhere (to), conform (to), follow, goose-step (to), mind, obey, observe, abide by, fall in with, keep to
    related: defer (to), submit (to), surrender (to), yield (to), accede (to), acquiesce (to), agree (to), assent (to), attend, hear, heed, listen (to), mark, note, notice, regard, take, watch
    opposite: defy, disobey, rebel (against)
    near: disoblige, challenge, dare, refuse, renounce, repudiate, direct, lead, brush (off), disregard, ignore, overlook, overpass, pass over, tune out, wink (at), dismiss, pooh-pooh, shrug off, breach, break, infringe, transgress, violate, deride, flout, mock, scoff (at), scorn, mutiny (against), revolt (against), buck, combat, contest, dispute, fight, oppose, resist, withstand

  2. to do what is required by the terms of

    "were summarily threatened with a lawsuit if they did not comply with the contract"

    similar: answer, complete, fill, fulfill, keep, meet, redeem, satisfy, abide by, make good
    related: conclude, consummate, finalize, finish, perfect, accomplish, achieve, bring about, bring off, carry out, effect, commit, compass, discharge, execute, follow through (with), make, perform
    opposite: breach, break, transgress, violate
    near: default (on), disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slight

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Comply

The most common words with a similar meaning to Comply:

accede, accept, acquiesce, consent, defer, subscribe, agree, assent, concur, affiliate, ally, associate, collaborate, collude, come round, compromise, cooperate, get along, side, conform, acquit, act, bear, comport, conduct, demean, deport, quit, check, collect, compose, constrain, contain, control, curb, handle, inhibit, move, quiet, repress

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Comply

Words with the opposite meaning of Comply:

differ, disagree, dissent, nonconcur, clash, collide, conflict, contrast, counter, debate, object, oppose, protest, resist, act out, act up, carry on, misbehave, misconduct, disobey, rebel

Word Forms of Comply

Inflections: complied, complying

Origin & Etymology of Comply

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" complete:1

First known use: 1602

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Comply

Frequently Asked Questions about Comply

What does "Comply" mean?

"Comply" means to conform, submit, or adapt (as to a regulation or to another's wishes) as required or requested. As a verb, it is defined as: to conform, submit, or adapt (as to a regulation or to another's wishes) as required or requested. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Comply"?

Other words for "Comply" include accede, accept, acquiesce, consent, defer, subscribe, agree and assent. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Comply" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Comply"?

There are 42 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Comply". Common alternatives include accede, accept, acquiesce, consent, defer, subscribe, agree, assent, concur and affiliate.

What is the opposite of "Comply"?

Antonyms of "Comply" include differ, disagree, dissent, nonconcur, clash, collide, conflict and contrast.

Is "Comply" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Comply" is a verb.

Is "Comply" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C1-level word, "Comply" is typical of Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE), IELTS band 7.0–8.0, TOEFL iBT 95–113, PTE Academic 76–84, TOEIC Listening & Reading 945+. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Comply"?

"Comply" is pronounced /kəm-ˈplī/ and divided into syllables as com·ply.

What is the origin of the word "Comply"?

"Comply" comes from 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" complete:1. First known use: 1602.