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Conform vs Fulfil - What's the difference?

conform | fulfil |

As verbs the difference between conform and fulfil

is that conform is (intransitive|of persons|often followed by to) to act in accordance with expectations; to behave in the manner of others, especially as a result of social pressure while fulfil is (archaic) to fill up.

conform

English

Verb

(en verb)
  • (intransitive, of persons, often followed by to) To act in accordance with expectations; to behave in the manner of others, especially as a result of social pressure.
  • * 1822 , , Peveril of the Peak , ch. 1:
    • [H]e had a dispensation for conforming in outward observances to the Protestant faith.
  • * 1839 , , The Voyage of the Beagle , ch. 4:
    • [B]y conforming to the dress and habits of the Gauchos, he has obtained an unbounded popularity in the country.
  • To be in accordance with a set of specifications or regulations, or with a policy or guideline.
  • * 1919 , , The Camp Fire Girls Do Their Bit , ch. 11:
    • In height and breadth it conformed to the prescribed measurements laid down by the rules of the contest.
  • * 2006 22 Dec., " Judge Cuts Amount of Vioxx Award ," New York Times (retrieved 7 June 2011):
    • A judge in a Texas widow’s lawsuit over the Merck drug Vioxx reduced a $32 million jury award to about $7.75 million on Thursday so that it conformed to state law.
  • To make similar in form or nature; to make suitable for a purpose; to adapt.
  • * , "Vanbrugh's House" in The Poems of Jonathan Swift (1910 edition):
    • There is a worm by Phoebus bred,
    By leaves of mulberry is fed,
    Which unprovided where to dwell,
    Conforms itself to weave a cell.
  • * 1836 , , Nature , ch. 6:
    • The sensual man conforms' thoughts to things; the poet ' conforms things to his thoughts.

    Synonyms

    * (act in accordance with expectations) acquiesce, comply, go along to get along, knuckle under, submit

    Related terms

    * conformance * conformation * conformer * conformism * conformist * conformity

    fulfil

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (US)

    Verb

    (fulfill)
  • (archaic) To fill up.
    • My lady is positively fulfilled of grace.
  • * 1870 , James Thomson,
    • The silence which benumbs or strains the sense
    Fulfils with awe the soul's despair unweeping
  • To satisfy, carry out, bring to completion (an obligation, a requirement, etc.).
    • You made a promise, son, and now you must fulfil it.
  • To emotionally or artistically satisfy; to develop one's gifts to the fullest.
    • This job fulfils me in a way my last one never did.
  • To obey, follow, comply with (a rule, requirement etc.).
    • Unfortunately, you don't fulfil the criteria for extra grants at the present time.

    Derived terms

    * (UK) - fulfilment, fulfilled, fulfilling, fulfillable * unfulfilled