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
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
Popularized in the 1950s by actors Audrey Hepburn and Jean Seberg as part of a visual rejection the long locks of their bombshell counterparts—and a want of European sophistication—pixie cuts have remained a symbol of nonconformity.
—
Tish Weinstock, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
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
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
The producer’s sessions were famous for their nonconformity.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nonconformity
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Tish Weinstock, Vogue, 9 Apr. 2025
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
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
The producer’s sessions were famous for their nonconformity.
—Stephen Daw, Billboard, 8 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for nonconformity
Cite this Entry
“Nonconformity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonconformity. Accessed 19 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
Uniform Commercial Code2
: 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
J. J. White and R. S. SummersLove words? Need even more definitions?
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