as in dissident
deviating from commonly accepted beliefs or practices
a cattle-ranching family that took some time in getting used to their daughter's nonconformist adoption of vegetarianism
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in maverick
a person who does not conform to generally accepted standards or customs
always the nonconformist, she insisted on wearing red on St. Patrick's Day and not green like everyone else
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in dissenter
a person who believes, teaches, or advocates something opposed to accepted beliefs
a nonconformist who was excommunicated from her church for her teachings
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nonconformist
Will Carless,
USA Today,
17 Jan. 2026
As such, the city takes on its own distinctively sooty, nonconformist character.
—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes,
11 Jan. 2025
Invariably, memorials devoted to these two nonconformists emphasized their complicated personalities.
—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
3 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for nonconformist
Adjective
Once ridiculed and dismissed for his nonconformist views on vaccines, nutrition, and exercise, Kennedy now leads a vast legion of followers and acolytes.
—
Will Carless,
USA Today,
17 Jan. 2026
As such, the city takes on its own distinctively sooty, nonconformist character.
—
Rosalyn Wikeley,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Jan. 2026
Noun
German immigrants founded and built the club, and in later decades Nature Friends became a hub for numerous groups: some esoteric, some nonconformist and others looking for a rustic place to chill.
—
R. Daniel Foster,
Forbes,
11 Jan. 2025
Invariably, memorials devoted to these two nonconformists emphasized their complicated personalities.
—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American-Statesman,
3 July 2024
See All Example Sentences for nonconformist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonconformist
Adjective
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But cartels and dissident groups still control pockets of the country, cocaine exports are at an all-time high and Colombia remains one of the world's most economically unequal countries.
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The group is a dissident faction of the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
Noun
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His maverick persona and armored storm-chasing vehicle, the Dominator 3 — featured on Jay Leno’s Garage — directly inspired the character of Tyler Owens, played by Glen Powell in the 2024 summer blockbuster Twisters.
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In a way, the fact that Huston was made up of two halves — one part iconoclastic maverick, one part old school craftsman — gave him an edge his fellow septuagenarians lacked.
Noun
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The liberal dissenters agreed with immigration rights lawyers who saw this as a nonsensical reading of the law.
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But there have been dissenters.
Adjective
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Mauricio Pochettino has made the unconventional conventional since taking over as coach of the national team 18 months ago.
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Many shoppers are also moving beyond the classic round brilliant diamond in favor of geometric cuts, elongated shapes and unconventional settings.
Noun
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With its loose ends and digressions, Dream Me a Dream stays true to those idiosyncratic instincts while retaining enough of the welcoming glow of Dance of Love to make this an affecting farewell from an endearing eccentric.
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The eccentric cuz is quick to try and help Bobby solve problems, which often gets him into trouble, but ultimately pushes him out of his shell.
Noun
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There are Sixties rock bands like the Sonics and the Small Faces, and pioneering hippie renegades like Love or the Thirteenth Floor Elevators.
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The president can call out the army against seceding states and their renegade congresspeople.
Adjective
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Board member Renee Paschall cast the lone dissenting vote on the final package.
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The document runs to more than a hundred and fifty pages, and for each question there are affirmative and dissenting studies, as well as some that indicate mixed results.
Cite this Entry
“Nonconformist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonconformist. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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