comply

[kuhm-plahy] / kəmˈplaɪ /

VERB

abide by, follow agreement or instructions

Synonyms

STRONGEST

acquiesce adhere to give in give up obey observe quit satisfy submit

STRONG

accede accord defer discharge ditto fold fulfill keep mind perform respect yield

WEAK

agree to cave in come around conform to consent to cry uncle don't make waves don't rock the boat fit in give out go along with go with the flow knuckle to knuckle under play ball play the game put out roll over and play dead shape up stay in line straighten up throw in towel toss it in yes one

Antonyms

STRONGEST

disobey dissuade

STRONG

condemn deny disallow disapprove fail ignore neglect oppose prevent refuse withhold

WEAK

decline rebuff reject resist

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Leaving the U.S. to comply with the new policy means risking losing whatever legal status they held and being unable to return.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

Such programs, which exist in every state, help public water systems pay for infrastructure projects to comply with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

Supermarkets and other big stores that sell groceries won’t need to do anything different to comply with the rule changes.

From Salon • May 22, 2026

To comply with the court order, the names of all the survivors mentioned in this story have been changed.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

All around, you saw these signals of neglect, as if the camp itself were slowly, deliberately disintegrating in order to comply with the administration’s deadline.

From "Farewell to Manzanar" by Jeanne Houston

Vocabulary lists containing comply

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"The Ransom of Red Chief" by O. Henry

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