noncooperation

noun

non·​co·​op·​er·​a·​tion ˌnän-kō-ˌä-pə-ˈrā-shən 

: failure or refusal to cooperate

specifically : refusal through civil disobedience of a people to cooperate with the government of a country

noncooperationist

ˌnän-kō-ˌä-pə-ˈrā-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

noncooperator

ˌnän-kō-ˈä-pə-ˌrā-tər 

noun

Examples of noncooperation in a Sentence

They adopted a strategy of noncooperation until they were treated fairly.

Recent Examples on the Web

The former staffers’ attorneys tried to force her to testify in this week’s trial against Basabe, and plaintiffs have pointed to her noncooperation as evidence of the alleged House cover-up of Basabe’s actions and silencing of potential witnesses. — Claire Heddles, Miami Herald, 17 July 2026

The Department of Homeland Security as well as administration officials have largely defended its agents and tied the shootings to a rise in vehicle assaults and noncooperation fueled by the rhetoric of Democratic officials. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 17 July 2026

In accordance with the county’s noncooperation policy, the Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office, which oversees the county’s jail, did not honor a 2023 federal detention request to hold Jalloh in pretrial detention until ICE could assume custody. — Mia Cathell, The Washington Examiner, 19 Apr. 2026

Boycotts are a form of mass noncooperation that enables more people to resist without taking time off from work, engaging in confrontation or risking arrest. — David Cortright, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1795, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for noncooperation

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

noncooperation

noun

ˌnän-kō-ˌäp-ə-ˈrā-shən

: failure or refusal to cooperate especially with the government