compliance

/kəmˈplaɪəns/ (bre, ipa) · /kəmˈplaɪəns/ (ame, ipa) · /kəm-ˈplī-ən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

compliance — noun

1. the state or practice of following a law, rule, or official instruction, especia

1.名詞B2
釋義

the state or practice of following a law, rule, or official instruction, especially in business or professional environments

例句

The hospital must demonstrate compliance with national health and safety standards.

compliance

Priya's team completed the compliance training before the annual audit began.

compliance training

同義詞
  • observance

    More formal; often used for traditions, customs, or religious rules rather than legal requirements

  • adherence

    Stronger sense of committed, voluntary sticking to principles or rules

  • conformity

    Implies fitting in with social norms or standards, sometimes under pressure

反義詞

用法筆記

Most common in legal, financial, and regulatory contexts. Often paired with prepositions 'with' or 'in accordance with'.

常見錯誤

❌The company is compliance with the law.
✅The company is in compliance with the law.
💡'compliance' needs 'in' before it when used with 'be'.

2. the tendency to agree with what others demand of you, often without questioning

2.名詞C1
釋義

the tendency to agree with what others demand of you, often without questioning it yourself

例句

His blind compliance with the manager's unreasonable orders led to a serious mistake.

blind compliance

The teacher demanded total compliance from every student, allowing no questions at all.

demanded compliance

同義詞
  • obedience

    Broader and more neutral; can be used for both willing and forced following of orders

  • submission

    Stronger and more negative; implies giving up one's own will entirely

  • deference

    Suggests respectful yielding out of politeness or respect for authority

反義詞
  • defiance

    Open resistance or refusal to obey

  • rebellion

    Active opposition to authority or control

用法筆記

Often carries a negative or critical connotation, suggesting excessive or unthinking obedience. Contrast with sense 1 (OBEYING RULES), which is neutral or positive when applied to legal requirements.

常見錯誤

❌The project is in compliance with environmental guidelines.' (when meaning following rules).
✅The project is in compliance with environmental guidelines.
💡This sentence actually fits sense 1, not sense 2. Use sense 2 only when the focus is on yielding to someone's wishes rather than obeying formal rules.