comport

/kəmˈpɔːt/ (bre, ipa) · [kəmpˈɔrt] /kəmˈpɔːrt/ (ame, ipa) · [kəmpˈɔrt] /kəm-ˈpȯrt/ (ame, mw)

comport — verb

  • comportpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • comportshe / she / it
  • comportedpast simple
  • comporting-ing form

1. to conduct yourself in a particular manner — almost always used reflexively (com

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to conduct yourself in a particular manner — almost always used reflexively (comport oneself), in formal contexts such as court, ceremony, or diplomatic settings, where attention to dignified or correct conduct is expected.

例句

Throughout the long trial, Adisa comported herself with quiet dignity.

reflexive: comport oneself with [noun]

The young diplomats were trained to comport themselves properly at state dinners.

plural reflexive in formal/diplomatic register

同義詞
  • conduct (oneself)

    near-identical and slightly more common; both formal and reflexive.

  • behave

    everyday register; not necessarily reflexive ('the children behaved').

  • carry (oneself)

    emphasises posture and outward bearing rather than the propriety of actions.

  • deport (oneself)

    very formal/archaic synonym of comport oneself; rarely used today.

反義詞
  • misbehave

    everyday register; opposite of behaving with the expected propriety.

文法句型

comport + oneself + adverb/adverbial

用法筆記

Almost exclusively reflexive (comport oneself); a bare 'comport' without a reflexive pronoun is unidiomatic. Subject is typically a person whose conduct is being judged in a formal or ceremonial setting.

常見錯誤

❌He comported very well at the wedding.
✅He comported himself very well at the wedding.
💡comport in this sense needs a reflexive pronoun (himself/herself/themselves).
❌She comported the meeting calmly.
✅She conducted the meeting calmly.' / 'She comported herself calmly during the meeting.
💡comport does not take a non-reflexive object; for running an event, use conduct.

2. (of an idea, statement, action, or piece of evidence) to fit or agree with somet

2.動詞不及物C2
釋義

(of an idea, statement, action, or piece of evidence) to fit or agree with something else — used in formal writing, especially in legal and academic argument, to say that a claim lines up with the surrounding facts, principles, or established practice.

例句

The witness's account does not comport with the physical evidence found at the scene.

negative form: does not comport with [evidence]

Nora argued that the new policy comports with the company's stated values.

subject = policy / claim; comport + with + value/principle

同義詞
  • accord (with)

    near-identical formal synonym, slightly more frequent in legal writing.

  • agree (with)

    everyday register; works in nearly any context where comport would.

  • be consistent (with)

    neutral register; common in academic writing.

  • square (with)

    more informal; often used in negative form ('doesn't square with the facts').

反義詞
  • contradict

    stronger — implies direct conflict, not just lack of fit.

  • conflict (with)

    neutral antonym; common in both formal and everyday writing.

文法句型

comport + with + noun

用法筆記

Subject is typically a claim, ruling, account, finding, or policy; object of 'with' is the standard it must agree with (evidence, law, principles, prior studies). Distinguish from sense 1 — this sense is intransitive, takes 'with', and never uses a reflexive pronoun.

常見錯誤

❌The new rule comports the old one.
✅The new rule comports with the old one.
💡sense 2 always needs the preposition 'with'.
❌His story comports himself with the facts.
✅His story comports with the facts.
💡no reflexive pronoun in this sense; that belongs to sense 1.