All words

compliant

Meaning

Willing to agree or go along with others; following rules or requests readily.

Examples by difficulty

Basic: Simple, everyday vocabulary — the easiest to read.

As the teacher spoke, Mia stayed quiet and compliant, quickly following every instruction. She did not want to stand out or get in trouble, so she always did what was asked without arguing. Even when she was tired, she remained compliant and did as she was told.

The little dog, tail tucked low, looked up at his owner. He knew he'd chewed the shoe, but he was compliant, nudging his head for a gentle pat. He just wanted to please.

His boss always praised him for being compliant, never questioning orders or pushing back. In meetings, he nodded and agreed, hoping to climb the corporate ladder by staying quiet and following every instruction without hesitation.

When Timmy’s mom asked him to clean his room, he became so compliant that he picked up socks with his toes and danced with the vacuum. His little brother tried to hide, but Timmy, totally submissive, even vacuumed him up by mistake!

The little dog, a fluffy cloud of mischief, was surprisingly compliant when it came to wearing his tiny knitted hat. He just stood there, tail thumping, ready to do whatever the silly humans wanted, as long as the hat didn't fall over his eyes.

Normal: Standard, everyday language.

The students were always compliant with their teacher's instructions, never questioning or resisting her authority in the classroom.

"The obedient dog was remarkably compliant, sitting patiently at his owner's feet, eager to fulfill his every command."

The compliant child sat silently in the corner, eyes downcast as the shadowy figure loomed over them. The room was filled with a chilling silence, broken only by the sound of the figure's heavy breathing. The child knew that they had to be compliant, to do as they were told without question, or else face the consequences. It was a terrifying existence, living in constant fear of the figure's wrath. But the compliant child knew that there was no other choice, no way to escape the torment that awaited them if they dared to defy their captor.

In the enchanted forest, the creatures lived in harmony, each one playing their role in the grand ecosystem. The elves were known for being compliant, always following the orders of the wise old tree that stood at the center of the forest. They would bow to its commands without question, knowing that their obedience kept the balance of nature intact. But one day, a mischievous sprite decided to challenge the tree's authority, refusing to be submissive like the others. This act of defiance caused chaos in the forest, showing just how important it was for everyone to be compliant for the greater good.

The docile villagers were compliant to the king's every whim, obeying his commands without question. They felt it was their duty to serve him, and they did so willingly. The king took advantage of their compliant nature, often making unreasonable demands. But the villagers remained submissive, never daring to defy him.

Advanced: Richer vocabulary that stretches an upper-level reader.

Even as the manager raised his voice, Ben remained compliant, nodding and promising to fix the mistakes. He did not argue or defend himself. Instead, he accepted every instruction without protest, showing he was ready to follow orders and do what was asked.

The weary soldier, his spirit broken by relentless drills, felt utterly compliant to the sergeant's every harsh command. He just wanted it to end.

Tom knew his boss expected total obedience, and he was always compliant, nodding quickly and following every instruction without hesitation. His coworkers resented how eagerly he adapted, but Tom understood survival in this cutthroat office meant being predictable and unquestioning.

Despite facing a flock of rebellious chickens, Farmer Bob found only one plucky bird willing to wear a tiny raincoat. The compliant hen strutted around, clearly ready to obey his every wish—unlike her feisty sisters, who preferred their feathers soggy and their authority unchallenged.

The poodle, typically a pampered prince, was surprisingly compliant when faced with the vacuum cleaner's hungry maw. Instead of his usual operatic wail, he simply flattened himself, a furry rug offering no resistance, and let the roaring monster have its way, a true testament to his newfound, if temporary, submissiveness.

Challenging: Rare, high-register vocabulary for serious word lovers.

Sarah always appeared compliant during meetings, rarely voicing an objection or differing opinion. Her colleagues often assigned her tedious tasks, knowing she was too submissive to protest. Despite her evident frustration, she tried to remain agreeable, hoping her compliant behavior would eventually earn their respect.

The battered recruit, eyes downcast, stood perfectly still. He offered no protest, no reasoned objection to the harsh new regimen. Every barked order was met with a silent, compliant nod, a testament to his thorough subjugation.

Mark always felt small around his supervisor, nodding quickly and agreeing to every request. He was hyper compliant, desperate to avoid confrontation and keep his precarious position at the consulting firm. His colleagues noticed his submissive demeanor, watching him scramble to fulfill every minute directive without hesitation.

Greg’s cat, Sir Whiskers, is anything but compliant; he glowers disdainfully at requests and treats every command as a grievous insult. Unlike a compliant pup, ready and disposed to comply with the slightest whistle, Sir Whiskers orchestrates his daily insubordination with unrepentant aplomb.

Barnaby, a notoriously recalcitrant badger, surprisingly became quite compliant after his nefarious scheme to pilfer Farmer McGregor's prize-winning pumpkins was thwarted by an unexpectedly agile scarecrow. The badger, now meek and subservient, even offered the avian sentinel a complimentary earthworm as a peace offering.

Difficulty

Normal — Everyday words worth reinforcing.

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