conformity

noun

con·​for·​mi·​ty kən-ˈfȯr-mə-tē How to pronounce conformity (audio)
plural conformities
Synonyms of conformity
1
: correspondence in form, manner, or character : agreement
behaved in conformity with their beliefs
2
: an act or instance of conforming
their conformity with the latest trends
3
: action in accordance with some specified standard or authority
conformity to social custom
conformity with the federal law and state insurance codes

Synonyms of conformity

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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
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.
In the late 1800s and the 1900s, as the forces of conformity and anonymity bore down on urban life, Thornton said everyday people began adding flair to their own signatures, too. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 Environmental damage, plastic waste and the conformity of suburbia prompted designers and countercultural communities to imagine other ways of living — up to a point. — Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026 Mass popularity usually demands conformity, and this show didn’t conform. — Maura Judkis, Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2026 The Orwellian parallels and Cold War overtones are strong on this particular planet, where a hive-mind entity enforces conformity through mass surveillance and zero-tolerance punishments. — Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conformity

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of conformity was in the 15th century

Rhymes for conformity

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Browse Nearby Words

conformist
conformity
conformly
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Cite this Entry

“Conformity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conformity. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

conformity

noun
con·​for·​mi·​ty kən-ˈfȯr-mət-ē How to pronounce conformity (audio)
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
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