The convicted drug dealer was willing to comply with the authorities to have his death sentence reduced to a life sentence.
Source: tatoeba (1934)
Comply
/kəmˈplaɪ/
Synonyms for "comply" (211 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (43)
Strong matches (63)
be guided bybe persuadedbendbuycheerchime in withcome aroundcome overcome roundcome tocomply withcomposeconcurconformconform toconsentcorrectcorresponddefer todiscipline
Verb(13 words)
Noun(12 words)
coding standards conformanceconcordsconformingconsistently observedcooperatingcorn yield focuseddanish contract law compliancefollow examplefollowing studygive in to demandshandle materialshearkening
Related words (105)
Verb(16 words)
hold byhold within totokeepkeep faith withknock underknuckle downknuckle underlisten tolive up tolive withlive with itmake conformmake goodmarkmeetmindmoldmouldmoulder
Show 42 more words
mouldynodnod assentnot resistobeyobey the rulesobserveput up withreceivereconcilerectifyregardrelentresignrespectrub off cornerssatisfysettleshapestay in linestraightensubmitsubscribe tosuccumbsuitsurrenderswallowswallow itswallow the pilltaketake ittake kindly totake orderstallytally withtoe the linetoe the markvote forwelcomeyesyieldyield assent
Noun(24 words)
Adjective(3 words)
lawful conductobserved traitstatutory reporting
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: follow, abide, abide by, abide by, abided.
- Sentence evidence is available for comply, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, derived_reverse, moby, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "comply".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "comply"
Keep "comply" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "comply" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "comply", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "comply" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
3 entriesMore specific
6 entriesCollocations
6 entriescompliancecompliance deadlinescompliance guidelinescompliance requirementscompliance standardscompliance with regulations
Inflections
3 entriesDerivations
2 entriessimilar
5 entriesSample sentences
24 total sentences available.
We shall be pleased to comply with your request.
Source: tatoeba (54295)
I cannot comply with your request.
Source: tatoeba (252879)
I cannot comply with his request.
Source: tatoeba (260773)
Showing 4 of 24 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "comply"?
Closest matches include follow, abide, abide by, abide by, abided.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "comply"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.