nonenforcement

noun

non·​en·​force·​ment ˌnän-in-ˈfȯr-smənt 

-en-

: failure or refusal to enforce or carry out something (such as a law or order) : lack of enforcement

their nonenforcement of the new rule

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

And some states significantly limit the level of nonenforcement that lower jurisdictions can exercise, Politico reports. —Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Aug. 2022

Some states forbid blanket nonenforcement by local prosecutors. —Zachary Price, WSJ, 28 Apr. 2022

The vogue for nonenforcement has swept cities across the country, while opponents have largely responded with abstract critiques. —Zachary Price, WSJ, 28 Apr. 2022

The nonenforcement of laws against rioting and looting has become common in big cities. —Victor Davis Hanson, National Review, 13 Aug. 2020

More than 90% of counties in the commonwealth have passed resolutions signaling defiance and nonenforcement of potential gun control laws. —John Gage, Washington Examiner, 14 Jan. 2020

The ruling was the second time a federal judge has rebuffed the Trump administration’s nonenforcement of the methane rule. —Washington Post, 6 Mar. 2018

Legislative reform is the long-term answer, but administrative nonenforcement seems like the only readily available option. —Jim Newell, Slate Magazine, 27 Jan. 2017

See More

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined above