WordValecomply
to act in accordance with a wish or rule
In more detail
1. (verb) to obey a rule, law, or request
2. (verb) to act in accordance with something required or expected
Examples
- 1. The company must comply with environmental regulations.
- 2. All employees are expected to comply with the dress code.
How to use comply
Comply is a formal verb used in official, legal, and professional contexts to indicate following rules, requirements, or instructions. It emphasizes obedience to external standards or directives rather than internal motivation. It is typically used with the preposition 'with' and often appears in regulatory, administrative, or institutional settings.
Common phrases
- comply with regulations
- comply with the law
- comply with a request
- comply with standards
- fully comply
- refuse to comply
Synonyms
obey · abide by · adhere to · conform to · follow
Opposites
violate · defy · breach
Word family
compliance · compliant · non-compliance · complying
A common mistake
Learners sometimes use 'comply' without the preposition 'with' (saying 'comply the law' instead of 'comply with the law'), or confuse it with 'complete' or 'accomplish' when the context requires obedience rather than task completion.
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