comport

1 of 2

verb

com·​port kəm-ˈpȯrt How to pronounce comport (audio)
comported; comporting; comports

intransitive verb

: to be fitting : accord
actions that comport with policy

transitive verb

: behave
especially : to behave in a manner conformable to what is right, proper, or expected
comported himself well in the crisis
comportment noun

comport

2 of 2

noun

com·​port ˈkäm-ˌpȯrt How to pronounce comport (audio)

Did you know?

Comport and Behavior

With its prefix com-, "with", the Latin word comportare meant "to bring together". So it's easy to see how in English we could say that a college's policy comports with state law, or that a visit to your parents doesn't comport with your other weekend plans, or that your aunt and uncle won't listen to anything on TV that doesn't comport with their prejudices. The "behave" sense of the word comes through French, and its essential meaning is how a person "carries" him- or herself. So you may say, for instance, that your 17-year-old comported himself well (for once!) at the wedding reception, or that an ambassador always comports herself with dignity—that is, her comportment is always dignified—or that your class comported itself in a way that was a credit to the school.

Choose the Right Synonym for comport

behave, conduct, deport, comport, acquit mean to act or to cause oneself to do something in a certain way.

behave may apply to the meeting of a standard of what is proper or decorous.

the children behaved in church

conduct implies action or behavior that shows the extent of one's power to control or direct oneself.

conducted herself with unfailing good humor

deport implies behaving so as to show how far one conforms to conventional rules of discipline or propriety.

the hero deported himself in accord with the code of chivalry

comport suggests conduct measured by what is expected or required of one in a certain class or position.

comported themselves as gentlemen

acquit applies to action under stress that deserves praise or meets expectations.

acquitted herself well in her first assignment

Examples of comport in a Sentence

Verb an outfit that most definitely does not comport with the company's guidelines for dress-down days the grieving relatives comported themselves with grace and dignity during that difficult time
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.
Verb
There is no indication the 49ers have been disappointed in terms of how their new veterans have comported themselves professionally. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 27 Oct. 2024 Reid spoke to Browns general manager Andrew Berry about how Hunt comported himself in Cleveland. Jeff Fedotin, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
Noun
The statute requires that any of our recommendations comport with international human rights law standards. Ryan Fonsecastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 14 Dec. 2022 The case could result in substantial changes, as the plaintiffs are challenging whether the amounts and method of distribution of the annual education subsidies issued by the General Assembly comport with the state Constitution. From Usa Today Network and Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 28 July 2022 See all Example Sentences for comport 

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle French comporter to bear, conduct, from Latin comportare to bring together, from com- + portare to carry — more at fare

First Known Use

Verb

1589, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Noun

1771, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of comport was in 1589

Dictionary Entries Near comport

Cite this Entry

“Comport.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comport. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

comport

verb
com·​port
kəm-ˈpōrt,
-ˈpȯrt
1
: to be in agreement : accord
actions that comport with the rules
2
: behave sense 1, conduct
comport yourself with dignity
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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