Nonconformity

/nɑnkənˈfɔɹmɪdi/ noun

noun ·Common ·High school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A refusal to conform to the doctrine, discipline, or practice of a state religion, especially refusal by other Protestants to conform to the doctrine or discipline of the Church of England; the principles or practice of nonconformists; nonconformists as a class.
  • Grammar: nonconformity is listed as noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: aberration, abnormality, agreement to disagree, alienage.
  • Useful contrasts: behavioral traits, cultural structure, cultural system norms.
  • Usage evidence: Here then is S. Pauls Judaeus in abscondito, a Jew inwardly. Here is the true Recusant, and the true Non-conformitan; Au∣diunt, sed non faciunt: he comes to hear, but never comes to doe; there's Recusancy: he confesses that he hath received good instru∣ction, but he refufes to conform himself unto it; there's Non-con∣formity'.

How to use "nonconformity"

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  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "nonconformity" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

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Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "nonconformity" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

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Compare nearby meanings

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Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "nonconformity" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

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Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A refusal to conform to the doctrine, discipline, or practice of a state religion, especially refusal by other Protestants to conform to the doctrine or discipline of the Church of England; the principles or practice of nonconformists; nonconformists as a class. countable, uncountable

    "Here then is S. Pauls Judaeus in abscondito, a Jew inwardly. Here is the true Recusant, and the true Non-conformitan; Au∣diunt, sed non faciunt: he comes to hear, but never comes to doe; there's Recusancy: he confesses that he hath received good instru∣ction, but he refufes to conform himself unto it; there's Non-con∣formity'."

  2. 2
    Alternative form of nonconformity (“refusal to conform to a state religion”). alt-of, alternative
  3. 3
    failure to conform to accepted standards of behavior wordnet
  4. 4
    A rejection of, or failure to conform to, a practice, standard, rule, or law. countable, uncountable

    "But as no man, that does acknowledg the Authority and Divinity of the Scriptures, can easily satisfie himself in living in the Breach of any of it's known rules and precepts, without the countenance and protection (such as it is) of some vain imagination, and deceitful reasoning or other, so is it in this case with some, who having no mind to this way of God (Bap∣tism I mean) though otherwise convinced of the nullity of In∣fant-baptism) have taken hold of certain delusive Pleas, where∣by to justifie their non-conformity to this rule of the Gospel, and Doctrine of Christ."

  5. 5
    unorthodoxy as a consequence of not conforming to expected standards or values wordnet
Show 3 more definitions
  1. 6
    A type of unconformity in which a nonsedimentary rock intrudes in sedimentary layers. countable, uncountable
  2. 7
    a lack of orthodoxy in thoughts or beliefs wordnet
  3. 8
    lack of harmony or correspondence wordnet

Antonyms

behavioral traitscultural structurecultural system normscurrent norms

Example

"Here then is S. Pauls Judaeus in abscondito, a Jew inwardly. Here is the true Recusant, and the true Non-conformitan; Au∣diunt, sed non faciunt: he comes to hear, but never comes to doe; there's Recusancy: he confesses that he hath received good instru∣ction, but he refufes to conform himself unto it; there's Non-con∣formity'."

Common questions

What does "nonconformity" mean?

A refusal to conform to the doctrine, discipline, or practice of a state religion, especially refusal by other Protestants to conform to the doctrine or discipline of the Church of England; the principles or practice of nonconformists; nonconformists as a class.

What is a synonym for "nonconformity"?

Common synonyms include: aberration, abnormality, agreement to disagree, alienage, alienation, alienism.

How do you use "nonconformity" in a sentence?

Here then is S. Pauls Judaeus in abscondito, a Jew inwardly. Here is the true Recusant, and the true Non-conformitan; Au∣diunt, sed non faciunt: he comes to hear, but never comes to doe; there's Recusancy: he confesses that he hath received good instru∣ction, but he refufes to conform himself unto it; there's Non-con∣formity'.

How do you pronounce "nonconformity"?

Pronounced /nɑnkənˈfɔɹmɪdi/.

Etymology

From non- + conformity.

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