What is the opposite of “compliance”?

What is the antonym of “compliance”?

The antonyms of compliance are defiance and noncompliance. The antonyms defiance and noncompliance convey a lack of agreement or obedience to rules, laws, or authority.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

defiance

Open resistance; bold disobedience to an authority or established norms.

Example

The protesters showed defiance by refusing to leave the streets despite the curfew.

noncompliance

Failure or refusal to comply with rules, regulations, or requests.

Example

The company faced penalties for noncompliance with environmental standards.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Defiance implies a bold and open resistance to authority or established norms.
• 2. Noncompliance refers to a failure or refusal to comply with rules, regulations, or requests.

Good things to know

• 1. Legal Context: Use defiance and noncompliance in legal contexts to describe violations of laws or regulations.
• 2. Personal Relationships: Use defiance and noncompliance to describe disagreements or conflicts in personal relationships.
• 3. Workplace: Use noncompliance to describe employees who fail to follow company policies or procedures.