nonconformist

noun

non·​con·​form·​ist ˌnän-kən-ˈfȯr-mist 

1

often capitalized : a person who does not conform to an established church

especially : one who does not conform to the Church of England

2

: a person who does not conform to a generally accepted pattern of thought or action

nonconformist adjective often capitalized

Synonyms

• bohemian
• boho
• counterculturist
• deviant
• enfant terrible
• free spirit
• heretic
• iconoclast
• individualist
• loner
• lone ranger
• lone wolf
• maverick
• nonconformer

Examples of nonconformist in a Sentence

He was a nonconformist in college but now wears a three-piece suit to work every day.

They were stubborn nonconformists who chose to be arrested instead of obeying the laws.

Recent Examples on the Web

Invariably, memorials devoted to these two nonconformists emphasized their complicated personalities. —Michael Barnes, Austin American-Statesman, 3 July 2024

The uniform and the nonconformist. —Rachel Tashjian, Harper's BAZAAR, 9 Aug. 2022

Hamilton’s latest struggles as a nonconformist are not as amusing. —Steve Nadis, Discover Magazine, 19 Dec. 2011

In her breakthrough piece, Heretic, Graham is dressed in white and rebuffed and rebuked by a group of 12 women dressed in black: the punishment of the nonconformist. —Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 18 Oct. 2022

Word History

First Known Use

1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

nonconformist

noun

non·​con·​form·​ist ˌnän-kən-ˈfȯr-məst 

1

often capitalized : a person who does not conform to an established church

2

: a person who does not conform to generally accepted standards or customs

nonconformist adjective often capitalized