What is the opposite of “compliant”?

What is the antonym of “compliant”?

The antonym of compliant is defiant, noncompliant, and unyielding. The antonyms defiant, noncompliant, and unyielding convey a negative or rebellious attitude. It implies a lack of willingness to follow rules, orders, or requests.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

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

defiant

Showing resistance or disobedience towards authority or rules.

Example

The student was defiant towards the teacher's instructions and refused to complete the assignment.

noncompliant

Not following or conforming to rules, regulations, or expectations.

Example

The company faced penalties for being noncompliant with environmental regulations.

unyielding

Refusing to change one's opinion, decision, or behavior; stubborn.

Example

Despite the evidence presented, he remained unyielding in his belief that he was right.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Defiant implies an active resistance or disobedience towards authority or rules.
• 2. Noncompliant describes a passive nonconformity or failure to follow rules or regulations.
• 3. Unyielding refers to a stubborn refusal to change one's opinion, decision, or behavior.

Good things to know

• 1. Legal Matters: Use noncompliant to describe individuals or organizations that fail to follow laws or regulations.
• 2. Parenting: Use defiant to describe children who refuse to follow rules or instructions.
• 3. Negotiations: Use unyielding to describe people who refuse to compromise or change their position.

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Remember this!

The antonyms have distinct nuances: Defiant implies active resistance, noncompliant describes passive nonconformity, and unyielding refers to stubbornness. Use these words in legal matters, parenting, and negotiations to describe individuals or organizations that fail to follow rules or regulations, children who refuse to follow rules or instructions, and people who refuse to compromise or change their position.