nonconformity

noun

non·​con·​for·​mi·​ty ˌnän-kən-ˈfȯr-mə-tē 

1

a

: failure or refusal to conform to an established church

b

often capitalized : the movement or principles of English Protestant dissent

c

often capitalized : the body of English Nonconformists

2

: refusal to conform to an established or conventional creed, rule, or practice

3

: absence of agreement or correspondence

Synonyms

• dissent
• dissidence
• heresy
• heterodoxy

Examples of nonconformity in a Sentence

As a teenager, he was embarrassed by his parents' nonconformity.

an artistic movement that doesn't tolerate nonconformity

Recent Examples on the Web

This demand for nonconformity reflects a broader narrative rooted in American history, where risk-taking and resilience have been essential to the nation’s identity. —Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 6 Nov. 2024

The nonconformity factor produced a surprisingly realistic result. —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 30 Oct. 2024

But beyond the character’s gender nonconformity, the movie is also incredibly anarchist (and quite bisexual, too). —Fran Tirado, Them, 15 Oct. 2024

Perhaps because of such storylines, the early modern playhouse acquired a reputation as a site of gender nonconformity for performers and audience members alike. —Will Tosh, TIME, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

nonconformity

noun

non·​con·​for·​mi·​ty ˌnän-kən-ˈfȯr-mət-ē 

: failure or refusal to conform

Legal Definition

nonconformity

noun

non·​con·​for·​mi·​ty ˌnän-kən-ˈfȯr-mə-tē 

plural nonconformities

1

: failure to conform to or comply with something (as contract requirements)

a lessee may revoke acceptance of a lot…whose nonconformity substantially impairs its value

—Uniform Commercial Code

2

: a particular aspect in which something is nonconforming

cannot revoke an acceptance he made with knowledge of a nonconformity

—J. J. White and R. S. Summers