nonperformance
noun
non·per·for·mance
ˌnän-pər-ˈfȯr-mən(t)s 
-pə-
: neglect or failure to perform
especially
: failure to adhere to the terms of an agreement or promise
nonperformance of an obligation
nonperformance of a contract
Examples of nonperformance in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
What To Look For: • Minimum service levels or KPIs
• Cure periods (time to fix problems before termination)
• Penalties or refunds for nonperformance
Tip: Put teeth behind your contracts.
—
Stephen Nalley, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The investigation found the county’s initial contract lacked key accountability clauses and imposed few consequences for nonperformance, a shortcoming Preckwinkle acknowledged Thursday.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
That notice followed one the county sent in December for nonperformance, which cited the lack of any work on the site or toward financing.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
In Arizona, there are several defenses to excuse the nonperformance of a home purchase contract because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Christopher A. Combs, The Arizona Republic, 24 Sep. 2024
Contractual force majeure is rarely invoked and enforced to allow the nonperformance of contracts that have become either impossible or impracticable due to some catastrophic event, including natural disasters and wars.
—Alexander Talel, WSJ, 22 Oct. 2023
Drawdowns on letters of credit, for example, which are supposed to be automatic on presentation, are occasionally enjoined for nonperformance, fraud or on other grounds.
—John Quinn, Forbes, 17 May 2022
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Stephen Nalley, Forbes.com, 8 May 2025
The investigation found the county’s initial contract lacked key accountability clauses and imposed few consequences for nonperformance, a shortcoming Preckwinkle acknowledged Thursday.
—A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 10 Apr. 2025
That notice followed one the county sent in December for nonperformance, which cited the lack of any work on the site or toward financing.
—Karri Peifer, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025
In Arizona, there are several defenses to excuse the nonperformance of a home purchase contract because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Christopher A. Combs, The Arizona Republic, 24 Sep. 2024
Contractual force majeure is rarely invoked and enforced to allow the nonperformance of contracts that have become either impossible or impracticable due to some catastrophic event, including natural disasters and wars.
—Alexander Talel, WSJ, 22 Oct. 2023
Drawdowns on letters of credit, for example, which are supposed to be automatic on presentation, are occasionally enjoined for nonperformance, fraud or on other grounds.
—John Quinn, Forbes, 17 May 2022
Cite this Entry
“Nonperformance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonperformance. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
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