non-establishment

noun

non-es·​tab·​lish·​ment ˌnän-i-ˈsta-blish-mənt 

1

or less commonly non-Establishment : ordinary citizens considered as group distinct from the establishment or ruling class

This campaign was not right versus left but rather establishment versus non-establishment …

—Ashby Foote

—often used before another noun

non-establishment candidates

2

: failure or refusal to establish something

… the non-establishment of professional leagues to allow women to play sport full-time and professionally …

—Cheryl Roberts

Examples of non-establishment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

He's positioned himself as the outsider, non-establishment candidate in a race in which his two main opponents are directly involved in LA politics. — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 2 June 2026

The Supreme Court should recognize the harmony of religious non-establishment and free exercise by allowing Oklahoma’s Catholic charter school. — Philip Sechler, National Review, 28 Apr. 2025

Analysts also say that even if a non-establishment candidate were to win the presidency, she or he still would be forced to negotiate with a congress that is riddled with corruption. — Soudi Jiménez, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1764, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for non-establishment

• disestablishment
• reestablishment
• establishment