Meaning & use
nonjudgemental
Last updated
Meanings
adjectivecomparableapproving
Not quick to criticize or blame other people for their choices, beliefs or behavior.
Grammar: Can follow be or come before a noun: a nonjudgemental friend; she is very nonjudgemental.
Patterns
- be nonjudgemental about something
- a nonjudgemental attitude
My counsellor is warm and nonjudgemental, so I can speak openly.
The group offers a nonjudgemental space for anyone who needs help.
He stayed nonjudgemental when she explained what had happened.
adjectivebefore a nounapproving
Describing support, advice or an approach that does not criticize or label the person being helped.
Grammar: Used before nouns such as support, advice or approach: nonjudgemental support.
Patterns
- nonjudgemental support
- a nonjudgemental approach
The clinic provides nonjudgemental advice to young people.
Nurses are trained to take a nonjudgemental approach.
A nonjudgemental listener can make a big difference.
Word forms
| comparative | more nonjudgemental |
|---|---|
| superlative | most nonjudgemental |
Common combinations
- a nonjudgemental attitude
- A nonjudgemental attitude helps people feel safe.
- nonjudgemental support
- The charity offers nonjudgemental support to families.
- stay nonjudgemental
- It is hard to stay nonjudgemental when you are upset.
- a nonjudgemental space
- We want to create a nonjudgemental space for questions.
- remain nonjudgemental
- A good teacher remains nonjudgemental.
Synonyms and how they differ
- open-minded
- Open-minded is about willingness to consider new ideas, while nonjudgemental is about not criticizing people.
- tolerant
- Tolerant can suggest putting up with something you dislike, whereas nonjudgemental suggests not forming a negative view at all.
- accepting
- Accepting stresses welcome and acceptance, while nonjudgemental stresses the absence of criticism.
Opposites
Word family
- judgement noun
- an opinion or decision about something
- judgemental adjective
- quick to criticize others
- nonjudgementally adverb
- in a way that does not criticize
- judge verb
- to form an opinion about someone or something
Commonly confused: nonjudgemental or nonjudgmental?
nonjudgemental vs nonjudgmental
Nonjudgmental is the American spelling of the same word, with no extra e before ment.
Practice
A friend listens to your problem without criticizing you. How would you describe her?
Choose one answer.
Nonjudgemental describes someone who does not criticize others. Judgemental means the opposite, and outspoken or strict do not fit the situation.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “nonjudgemental”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.