comply

Meanings

1. 1verbintransitiveformal

   To follow a rule, law, or instruction as required.

   Grammar: No direct object; use with: comply with the law.

   Patterns

   • comply with something
   • comply with a request

   All restaurants must comply with the new safety rules.

   The company failed to comply with the court order.

   She asked him to leave, and he complied.

2. 2verbintransitiveformal

   To do what someone orders or asks, usually without argument.

   Grammar: Often alone or with with: he refused to comply.

   Patterns

   • comply with someone
   • refuse to comply

   The suspect refused to comply with the officer.

   When asked to hand over the keys, she complied.

   Most drivers comply when signs tell them to slow down.

Word forms

Common combinations

comply with regulations

The factory must comply with environmental regulations.

fail to comply

Those who fail to comply will be fined.

refuse to comply

He refused to comply with the order.

willingly comply

Most customers willingly complied.

fully comply

We will fully comply with the investigation.

Synonyms and how they differ

obey

Obey takes a direct object and suggests following a person in authority.

conform

Conform means matching a standard or custom, often socially.

abide by

Abide by is a phrasal verb for accepting rules or decisions.

follow

Follow is general, while comply sounds official.

Opposites

Word family

compliance noun

following a rule or law

compliant adjective

willing to follow rules

noncompliance noun

failure to follow a rule

compliantly adverb

in a willing, obedient way

Commonly confused: comply or comply vs. complement? comply or comply vs. compliment?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “comply”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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