What does in accordance with mean?
How is “in accordance with” used in contracts and what are the alternatives?
Is it in accordance with or to?
We will look at the definition of in accordance with, see how it is used in a sentence, look at its synonyms, antonyms, how it is used in contracts and legal writing, compare it with the term “concordance” and look at several examples.
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In accordance with meaning
In accordance with or in accordance are phrases used to say that someone agrees with another’s suggestion, proposal, wishes, request or demand.
It can also mean that some will act in compliance (or in agreement with) certain rules, policy, contract, law or legal obligations.
For example:
In accordance with your LLC operating agreement terms and conditions, you can remove an LLC member by first casting a vote and then agreeing on buyout terms with the exiting partner
In accordance with her instructions, we mandated a law firm to send a notice to appear to the defendant
Accordance definition
To better understand “in accordance with”, let’s first define the term “accordance”.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the term accordance is defined as:
“the act of granting something” or “agreement” or even “conformity”
What’s notable with this definition is that the term accordance can either mean that you are in agreement with something or you agree to grant something.
In accordance with definition
Based on the definition of the term accordance, let’s look at what it means to say in accordance with.
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary once more, the phrase in accordance with is defined as:
in a way that agrees with or follows (something, such as a rule or request)
In other words, it’s to act in conformity with a rule or in agreement with something.
For example:
The parties agree that they will enter into a teaming agreement that shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.
In accordance with your request, we have submitted the application
In accordance with in a sentence
In accordance with can be used in a sentence in the English language in many ways.
You can use it to suggest:
- Someone agrees with something
- Someone will comply with something
- Someone will act based on a request
In accordance with or to
In accordance with means that a person agrees with something or agrees to comply with certain rules, laws or standards.
You may also see the phrase in accordance to from to time.
The question is, is it in accordance to or with?
In a nutshell, “in accordance to” is an incorrect English standard.
You should use “in accordance with” instead.
Let’s look at a few examples to illustrate the point.
Here is an example of in accordance with:
In accordance with the easement by prescription doctrine, to invoke prescriptive easement rights, a person must prove that he or she was openly using the property, the use was notorious, there was actual use, the use was hostile and continuous.
Here is an example of according to:
The contractor undertakes to, according to contract provisions, pay all subcontractors in a timely manner and guarantee that only authorized sub-contractors shall work on the project
Here is an incorrect example of in accordance to:
In accordance to articles 25 of the contract, the non-breaching party may invoke liquidated damages in the event of a breach of contract
For this last example, you should write it the correct way as follows:
In accordance with articles 25 of the contract, the non-breaching party may invoke liquidated damages in the event of a breach of contract
In accordance with the law
“In accordance with the law” is a phrase commonly used in legal writing.
To say in accordance with the law is to say that a person will comply with the terms of the law or will abide by or obey the law.
In contracts, lawyers use this phrase to impose an obligation on a party or all parties to ensure that they obey the law at all times.
Here is an example:
Party A will obtain any and all legally required permits or authorizations to operate its business in accordance with the law
The employer and employee hereby agree, and in accordance with the law, to enter into the present compromise agreement for the settlement of any and all statutory claims the employee may have against the employer.
In accordance with synonym
As an alternative to in accordance with, there are other phrases or synonyms that you can use to mean more or less the same thing.
Here is a quick list for of in accordance with synonyms for your reference:
- In conformity with
- In accord with
- In agreement with
- Consistent with
- In line with
- In compliance with
- As per
- Commensurate with
Accordance antonym
The opposite of the term accordance can be:
- In disagreement with
- In contrast with
- In conflict with
- In discord with
Accordance vs concordance
Accordance means to be in agreement with something or to agree to act in compliance with something.
Concordance comes from the term “concord” which is a state of agreement.
For example:
The founders operate the business in concord with the investors
This means that the shareholders are in a state of agreement with the investors on how to operate the business.
To say that the shareholders will operate the business based on the instructions or requirements of the investors, we should use the term “accordance”.
For example:
The shareholders operate the business in accordance with the investor requirements
In this example, we are not referring to the shareholders’ state of agreement but rather that they agree to act in compliance with the investor’s demands.
In accordance with examples
The best way to understand the meaning of in accordance with is to look at some examples.
Example in a sentence:
If we do not submit an offer in accordance with the applicable RFP rules, we will get disqualified
Example to suggest that someone will follow instructions:
This venture capitalist will only invest in specific types of startups in accordance with the instructions and approval of its investment advisory board
Example to suggest that something complies with the law:
Company ABC is a private corporation incorporated and duly existing in accordance with the U.S. laws
Example to say that something was done in compliance with certain obligations:
The promissory notes in respect of which the date of maturity in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions has occurred and the monies to be paid at maturity have been duly paid to the escrow agent in the manner provided in this Agreement
Example to be in accordance with or act in accordance with:
The company officers fully agree with the board of directors to acquire the target company and will act in accordance with the board’s instructions to fully consume the transaction
In accordance with FAQ

What is the meaning of in accordance with
In accordance with means that a person agrees with someone’s suggestion, proposal, wishes or request.
It can also mean that a person will act according to contractual obligations, rules, policy or law.
You can define in accordance with to mean to be in agreement with.
What is another phrase for “in accordance with”
Another phrase for “in accordance with” is “in conformity with”, “in compliance with” or “in line with”.
What is another word for accordance
Another word for accordance can be “agreement” or “conformity”.
Is it in accordance with or in accordance to
The proper English is “in accordance with”.
“In accordance to” is not standard English.
How to rephrase in accordance with
There are many ways you can rephrase “in accordance with”, namely:
- In conformity with
- In accord with
- In agreement with
- Consistent with
- In line with
- In compliance with
- As per
- Commensurate with
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