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

In a genre often defined by conformity, Kristofferson, who died on Sept. 28 at 88, was proof of another way. —Andrew R. Chow, TIME, 30 Sep. 2024

In a sport often plagued by stringent rules and conformity, Tiana’s commitment to performing as her authentic self is refreshing and revolutionary. —Caroline Price, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024

The malleability of identity is depicted in provincial settings in the American West, where there often isn’t a full menu of lifestyle possibilities and the passageway between religious conformity and stigmatized outcast status can be exceedingly narrow. —Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024

Such efforts must celebrate viewpoint diversity and heterodox ideas and not merely be a cudgel for forcing ideological conformity. —Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 1 Oct. 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