conform
v.v. to follow the rules, standards, or behaviors that are expected in a group or society. You conform when you act like others to fit in.
v. to comply with rules, standards, or established norms; to behave in accordance with accepted patterns. Intransitive when referring to general compliance; transitive when followed by 'to' or 'with'.
Students must conform to the school dress code.
New employees often conform to office culture by adopting the same communication style as their colleagues.
The architect chose to conform to the historic district's guidelines, ensuring the new building harmonized with the surrounding Victorian facades rather than standing out.
From Middle English conformen, borrowed from Middle French and Anglo-Norman conformer, from Latin conformāre (“to mould, to shape after”).
Intransitive when used alone ('conform to expectations'); transitive with 'to' or 'with' when specifying the standard.
conform the rulesconform to the rulesThe verb requires the preposition 'to' or 'with' before the object; it is not directly transitive in this sense.