NIMBY

noun

ˈnim-bē 

: opposition to the locating of something considered undesirable (such as a prison or incinerator) in one's neighborhood

NIMBYism

ˈnim-bē-ˌi-zəm 

noun

Examples of NIMBY in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their frustrations have ranged from anger over the tax incentives offered to certain projects to NIMBY-esque aesthetic concerns about acres upon acres of solar panels. — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026

In some cases, opposition might amount to parochial not in my backyard — or NIMBY — concerns. — Stefan Chavez-Norgaard, The Conversation, 20 Aug. 2026

Nor must Morocco contend with California’s labyrinth of zoning, lawsuits, and YIMBY-NIMBY politics. — Joe Mathews, Mercury News, 28 July 2026

As a result, half of the states opted out despite the prospect of generous federal job-creation assistance, due to fear of America’s byzantine permitting system and an array of entrenched interests commonly referred to as Not In My Backyard (NIMBY). — Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

not in my backyard

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above