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Synonym Chooser

How does the verb conform contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of conform are accommodate, adapt, adjust, and reconcile. While all these words mean "to bring one thing into correspondence with another," conform applies to bringing into accordance with a pattern, example, or principle.

refused to conform to society's values

Where would accommodate be a reasonable alternative to conform?

The words accommodate and conform can be used in similar contexts, but accommodate may suggest yielding or compromising to effect a correspondence.

accommodated his political beliefs in order to win

When could adapt be used to replace conform?

The meanings of adapt and conform largely overlap; however, adapt implies a modification according to changing circumstances.

adapted themselves to the warmer climate

When would adjust be a good substitute for conform?

In some situations, the words adjust and conform are roughly equivalent. However, adjust suggests bringing into a close and exact correspondence or harmony such as exists between parts of a mechanism.

adjusted the budget to allow for inflation

When might reconcile be a better fit than conform?

The synonyms reconcile and conform are sometimes interchangeable, but reconcile implies the demonstration of the underlying compatibility of things that seem to be incompatible.

tried to reconcile what he said with what I knew

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of conform The agenda for the meeting conforms to what lawyers have said is required by law. Cody Copeland, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Jan. 2025 That could be because their state tax code doesn’t conform to the federal one or hasn’t been updated to reflect the American Rescue Plan. Annie Nova, CNBC, 12 Jan. 2025 The current peer review model often favors researchers affiliated with prestigious institutions and those who conform to established norms or work in trendy fields. Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024 For example, a partner feeling pressured to conform to rigid roles (such as being the sole provider or primary caretaker) might experience frustration or resentment that spills over into the relationship. Mark Travers, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for conform 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conform
Verb
  • The pattern uncovered by the team corresponds with models that suggest black holes grow through repeat collisions in densely packed star clusters.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 20 Jan. 2025
  • The former is striving to make every person’s station in life correspond to their character and accomplishments.
    Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Higher education is also evolving, with institutions such as Georgia Tech and Carnegie Mellon embedding AI into their curricula and offering personalized learning experiences that blend technical skills with interpersonal development.
    Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The Age of Adaline is a timeless tale that blends love, science and fate.
    Jordana Comiter, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • These tools can reconcile your annual gains and losses and generate Form 8949 and Schedule D for accurate reporting.
    Shehan Chandrasekera, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Rachael apologized for her racial insensitivity and the two reconciled.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Karga Seven will adapt the sweeping historical book, which chronicles the world’s great dynasties across the entirety of human history, into a television series.
    Jake Kanter, Deadline, 21 Jan. 2025
  • These insights can inform smarter business decisions and help adapt to changing industry dynamics.
    Pete First, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Israeli officials claim most of the 26 remaining hostages are alive, which coincides with the list Hamas provided.
    Greg Wehner, Fox News, 27 Jan. 2025
  • In an attempt to rewrite history, Dawn Richard has now manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a pay day — conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour.
    Rachel McRady, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • This focus correlates economics (wealthier zip codes -> better higher schools -> better CS classes, clubs, etc.) and also, to a lesser but still large degree, to race.
    Marybeth Gasman, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Taxi drivers, for example, have lower life expectancy than most other occupations, and particularly good memory early in one’s life might be expected to be positively correlated with education, lifetime income, and life expectancy.
    Christopher M. Worsham, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The Knicks also adjusted their offense to mitigate Daniels’ relentless full-court pressure.
    Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 21 Jan. 2025
  • So how can Johnson adjust his coaching to have success with Williams? 5.
    Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Lindsay and Beryl’s hand-on-eye gesture seems to fit that bill.
    Brandon Keim, New York Times, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Each one measures at 21.7 x 13.8 x 12.2 inches, providing ample room to fit items like sweaters, sweatshirts, towels, sheets, and even fluffy duvet inserts inside.
    Carly Totten, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near conform

Cite this Entry

“Conform.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conform. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on conform

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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