malicious compliance

noun

The behavior of strictly following the orders of a superior despite knowing that compliance will lead to a negative result, especially in a way that undermines the order's intent while following it to the letter.

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Meanings

nounmalicious compliance (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe behavior of strictly following the orders of a superior despite knowing that compliance will lead to a negative result, especially in a way that undermines the order's intent while following it to the letter.
Cite this entry
APA

malicious compliance. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/malicious%20compliance

MLA

“malicious compliance.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/malicious%20compliance. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “malicious compliance,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/malicious%20compliance.

Source: malicious compliance on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.