conformity

noun

con·​for·​mi·​ty kən-ˈfȯr-mə-tē 

plural conformities

1

: correspondence in form, manner, or character : agreement

behaved in conformity with her beliefs

2

: an act or instance of conforming

her conformity with the latest fashions

3

: action in accordance with some specified standard or authority

conformity to social custom

conformity with the federal law and state insurance codes

Synonyms

• accord
• accordance
• agreement
• conformance
• congruence
• congruency
• congruity
• consonance
• harmony
• tune

Examples of conformity in a Sentence

The corporate culture demands a certain conformity of appearance.

the simple lifestyle of the Amish is in conformity with their ascetic religious beliefs

Recent Examples on the Web

Distancing Oneself When neither conformity nor validation feels viable, some individuals opt to distance themselves from the source of conflict. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

The government says the text proves an intent to enforce gender conformity. —Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 4 Dec. 2024

Democrats' demands for ideological conformity alienate those who value personal and economic freedoms. —Marco Rubio, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Ferrara bought a metric ton of tapeworm props, hired a scene-stealing Meg Tilly and showed us that, even in docile peacetime, demands of obedience and conformity can be seamlessly co-opted by evil forces, leaving us with zero options of how to live outside their control. —Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

conformity

noun

con·​for·​mi·​ty kən-ˈfȯr-mət-ē 

plural conformities

1

: agreement in form, manner, or character

behaved in conformity with their beliefs

2

: action in accordance with a standard or authority : obedience

conformity to social custom