nimby
Local project opposer
Nimby is an acronym for "not in my back yard," describing someone who opposes local development projects—housing, power plants, homeless shelters—while often supporting them in principle elsewhere.
The term is usually pejorative, implying hypocrisy or selfishness: Classic nimby behavior—they want affordable housing, just not on their street.
As a noun, a nimby is such a person; as an adjective, it describes this attitude: nimby opposition killed the project.
Development-welcoming resident
- backronymRetrofitted letter meanings
- initialismSpelled-out letter shortening
Pretense of virtue
- self-interestConcern for personal advantage
- parochialismExcessive local focus
- insularityNarrow detachment from broader views
- entitlementAssumed right to benefits
exclusionary · protectionism · indifference · intolerance · short-sightedness · complacency · self-serving · me-first
Residential area nearby
- homeownersProperty-possessing residents
- residentsPeople living somewhere
- subdivisionPortion of something larger
- HOAResidential community organization
township · suburbia · enclave · locals · ratepayers · constituents · borough · single-family
Dwellings or protective covering
- landfillWaste burial ground
- windfarmGrouped turbines generating electricity
- incineratorDevice for burning waste
- high-riseMultistory tall building
quarry · prison · densification · infill · mixed-use
Public expression of disapproval
- petitionFormal written appeal
- lawsuitCivil court proceeding
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
- appealFormal review request
blockade · coalition · obstruction · delay · litigation · organizing · lobbying · leafleting
Sectioning areas by use
- rezoningChanging land-use designation
- varianceSpread around the mean
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
- permitOfficial written authorization
moratorium · referendum · setback · land-use · municipal · regulation
YIMBY
Development-welcoming resident
- backronymRetrofitted letter meanings
- initialismSpelled-out letter shortening
hypocrisy
Pretense of virtue
- self-interestConcern for personal advantage
- parochialismExcessive local focus
- insularityNarrow detachment from broader views
entitlement · exclusionary · protectionism · indifference · intolerance · short-sightedness · complacency · self-serving · me-first · callousness
neighborhood
Residential area nearby
- homeownersProperty-possessing residents
- residentsPeople living somewhere
- subdivisionPortion of something larger
HOA · township · suburbia · enclave · locals · ratepayers · constituents · borough · single-family
housing
Dwellings or protective covering
- landfillWaste burial ground
- windfarmGrouped turbines generating electricity
- incineratorDevice for burning waste
high-rise · quarry · prison · densification · infill · mixed-use
protest
Public expression of disapproval
- petitionFormal written appeal
- lawsuitCivil court proceeding
- injunctionCourt-ordered behavioral requirement
appeal · blockade · coalition · obstruction · delay · litigation · organizing · lobbying · leafleting · mobilization
zoning
Sectioning areas by use
- rezoningChanging land-use designation
- varianceSpread around the mean
- ordinanceOfficial government regulation
permit · moratorium · referendum · setback · land-use · municipal · regulation
nimbyprogressive
Favoring reform and innovation
reformer · change agent · modernizer · booster · developer