Nonadherence: meaning, definitions and examples

Use in formal contexts, particularly in medical or legal settings, to describe failure to follow prescribed instructions or guidelines.

• The patient's nonadherence to the medication regimen led to complications.
• Nonadherence to company policies can result in disciplinary action.

Use in formal contexts, especially in regulatory, legal, or corporate environments, to indicate failure to meet rules or standards. It also has a somewhat negative connotation.

• Noncompliance with safety regulations may result in fines.
• The audit revealed significant noncompliance with financial reporting standards.

Use in both formal and informal contexts to describe the act of not following rules, often with a sense of purposeful defiance. It can have a negative connotation.

• The student's disobedience resulted in detention.
• Disobedience to traffic laws can lead to accidents.

Use this term in formal contexts, especially in healthcare or workplace settings, to describe a failure to follow rules, guidelines or prescribed treatments.

• The patient's nonadherence to the medication regimen resulted in a relapse.
• Nonadherence to company policies can lead to disciplinary actions.

Use this term in formal or legal contexts to describe the failure to comply with laws, regulations, or traditions.

• Nonobservance of safety protocols can result in severe workplace accidents.
• The nonobservance of religious customs during the ceremony was noted by the attendees.

This word is best used to describe a deliberate and overt show of resistance or bold disobedience, often in a rebellious or confrontational setting.

• His defiance against the school's dress code got him suspended.
• She acted in defiance of the unfair rules imposed upon her.