comply
Americanverb (used without object)
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to act or be in accordance with wishes, requests, demands, requirements, conditions, etc.; agree (sometimes followed bywith ).
They asked him to leave and he complied.
She has complied with the requirements.
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Obsolete. to be courteous or conciliatory.
verb
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(usually foll by with) to act in accordance with rules, wishes, etc; be obedient (to)
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obsolete to be obedient or complaisant
Other Word Forms
- complier noun
- uncomplying adjective
Etymology
Origin of comply
First recorded in 1595–1605; from Italian complire, from Spanish cumplir ( compliment ) “to fulfill, accomplish,” from Latin complēre, equivalent to com- com- + plēre “to fill”
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.
"If a ship sails under a false flag, this means that it does not comply with several international regulations," the statement added.
From Barron's
"All future policy updates shall also comply with these requirements," it added.
From BBC
West Ham say they continue to comply with Financial Fair Play rules "and expect to do so in the future".
From BBC
They were given 60 days to renew them – by complying with new rules – or cease operations by 1 March.
From BBC
The former presenter had claimed the broadcaster caused him "distress and harassment" by failing to comply with a request for copies of his personal data.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
