compliant

USAGE SUMMARY

'compliant' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use 'compliant' to describe someone or something that is willing to obey rules, regulations, or laws. For example, "The CEO made sure that the company remained compliant with all applicable safety regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

In 1999 the compliant parliament voted for Niyazov to become president for life, and in 2002, he used an alleged assassination attempt to legitimise a far-reaching crackdown on political opponents.

The Guardian

I understand why the Lib Dems feel the imperative to challenge the notion that they are compliant accomplices marching to Conservative tunes.

The Guardian - Opinion

The latest Chilcot report concludes that while it is feasible to design a legally compliant regime, the use of intercept evidence would not be consistent with previous operational requirements and would incur significant costs and risks for uncertain benefits in terms of increased numbers of successful prosecutions.

The Guardian

I've never crowdsurfed before, but it's amazing how compliant you can be when a man has a microphone.

The Guardian - Music

Monitoring only direct sales to meatpacking companies leaves the supply chain open to cattle laundering, where cattle may be reared in deforested land but sold to other compliant farms before they arrive at slaughterhouses.

The Guardian

In CIA documents he is described as having become so compliant that "when the interrogator raised his eyebrows" he would walk to the "water table" and sit down.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

It documents a series of practices marked "agreed" to clamp down on so-called "non-compliant" asylum seekers, which have been criticised by professor Louise Newman one of Australia's foremost experts in mental health as "very dangerous".

The Guardian

Impact assessments need to be mandatory, with non-compliant organisations facing stringent penalties.

The Guardian

"It would be for parliament to decide which of the possible convention-compliant approaches is introduced.

The Guardian

On September 16th the United States declared it to be "non-compliant" in the war on drugs, which will lead to an end to American aid.

The Economist

Marketers may face adverse publicity if they cannot or will not amend non-compliant marketing communications on their own websites or in other non-paid-for space online under their control.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing adherence to regulations, ensure you specify which regulations are being followed to provide clarity and context. For instance, "The software is compliant with GDPR guidelines."

Common error

Avoid confusing "compliant", which means adhering to rules, with "complaisant", which means eager to please or obliging. Using them interchangeably can alter the intended meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "compliant" primarily functions to describe something that adheres to a set of rules, standards, or regulations. It is commonly used to indicate adherence to laws, policies, or specifications. Ludwig provides various examples showcasing its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adjective "compliant" signifies adherence to rules, regulations, or standards. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. As exemplified by Ludwig, "compliant" is commonly used in news and media, formal business contexts, and science. While alternatives like "obedient" or "submissive" exist, "compliant" specifically emphasizes adherence to external requirements. Ensure accurate usage by specifying the standards being met and avoiding confusion with "complaisant", which means eager to please.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obedient

Focuses on adhering to commands or instructions.

conforming

Stresses adherence to established norms or standards.

submissive

Emphasizes yielding to authority or control.

law-abiding

Specifically refers to following legal requirements.

acquiescent

Highlights reluctant agreement without protest.

amenable

Suggests a willingness to be persuaded or controlled.

agreeable

Implies a pleasant and cooperative attitude.

yielding

Suggests giving way to pressure or influence.

deferential

Indicates respect and submission to someone's judgment.

manageable

Highlights ease of control or handling.

FAQs

How can I use "compliant" in a sentence?

You can use "compliant" to describe something that adheres to rules or regulations. For example, "The device is "compatible with" the latest safety standards".

What's a good alternative to "compliant"?

Alternatives include "obedient", "submissive", or "conforming", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone is "compliant to" a rule?

While understandable, it's more common and grammatically sound to say someone is "compliant with" a rule or regulation.

What is the difference between "compliant" and "complaisant"?

"Compliant" means adhering to rules or requests, while "complaisant" means willing to please others or be agreeable. They have distinct meanings and aren't interchangeable.