nonconformity

/ˌˈnɑnkənˌfɔrmədi/

Other forms: nonconformities

If a fireman came to work in a police outfit or clown suit, that would be a clear case of nonconformity. Where there's nonconformity, there's difference.

When everyone is acting or dressing exactly the same, there's conformity, not nonconformity. Nonconformity means that someone is doing things differently from the norm. People in authority tend to dislike nonconformity, because it makes people harder to control. Someone who demonstrates nonconformity most of the time is a nonconformist. Too much nonconformity can create chaos, but without a little nonconformity, life would be pretty boring.

Definitions of nonconformity

1. noun

   failure to conform to accepted standards of behavior
   synonyms: nonconformance

   antonyms:

   conformity

   compliance with accepted standards, rules, or norms

   types:

   nonobservance

   a lack of conformity with law or custom or practice etc.

   type of:

   failure

   an act that fails
2. noun

   a lack of orthodoxy in thoughts or beliefs
   synonyms: nonconformance, nonconformism

   antonyms:

   conformity

   orthodoxy in thoughts and belief

   type of:

   heresy, heterodoxy, unorthodoxy

   any opinions or doctrines that are different from the official or approved ones
3. noun

   unorthodoxy as a consequence of not conforming to expected standards or values
   type of:

   heterodoxy, unorthodoxy

   the quality of being different from what is considered correct
4. noun

   lack of harmony or correspondence
   type of:

   disagreement

   the speech act of disagreeing or arguing or disputing