non-compliant

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparableformal

   Not following a rule, law, standard or instruction that applies.

   Grammar: Often followed by with: non-compliant with safety rules.

   Patterns

   • be non-compliant with something

   The building was found to be non-compliant with fire regulations.

   Non-compliant products cannot be sold in the region.

   The company was fined for non-compliant packaging.

2. 2adjectivenot comparablemedical

   Of a patient, not doing what a doctor advises, such as taking medicine on schedule.

   Grammar: Often used after be: the patient was non-compliant.

   Patterns

   • be non-compliant with something

   The patient was non-compliant with the treatment plan.

   Doctors tracked non-compliant patients to find out why they stopped taking the pills.

Common combinations

non-compliant with the rules

The shop was non-compliant with the rules on labeling.

non-compliant behavior

Non-compliant behavior may lead to a fine.

remain non-compliant

Companies that remain non-compliant risk penalties.

found to be non-compliant

The device was found to be non-compliant during testing.

non-compliant patient

A non-compliant patient may need extra support.

Synonyms and how they differ

in breach

In breach is more legal and points to a broken contract or law, while non-compliant covers any standard or rule.

disobedient

Disobedient suggests a person defying an authority, whereas non-compliant is neutral and can describe a product or system.

noncomplying

Noncomplying means almost the same but is less frequent in official language.

Opposites

Word family

comply verb

to follow a rule or request

compliance noun

the act of following rules

compliant adjective

following the rules

non-compliance noun

failure to follow rules

Commonly confused: non-compliant or complaint? non-compliant or complaisant?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “non-compliant”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words