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

Andreessen said the party no longer tolerated dissent within its ranks and instead demanded lockstep conformity enforced through cancel culture, effectively reducing the Democrats to a religious cult minus the opportunity for redemption. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 27 Nov. 2024

This environment breeds conformity instead of innovation. —Edward Deangelis, Forbes, 26 Nov. 2024

In Sister Deborah, real liberation lies in eschewing conformity to any dogma, even the Bible. —Tope Folarin, The Atlantic, 21 Nov. 2024

Born at a time when conformity and repression were the cultural norms, Mad’s irreverence would affect TV shows and movies for decades and encourage young people to question the world around them. —Julie Hinds, Detroit Free Press, 13 Nov. 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