non-conforming
Defying standard expectations
Non-conforming describes something that doesn't meet established standards, specifications, or expectations.
In construction and zoning, a non-conforming use is one that predates current regulations and is allowed to continue: The old warehouse is a non-conforming structure under the new zoning code.
In manufacturing, non-conforming products fail quality requirements.
The term also appears in gender identity contexts, where gender non-conforming describes people whose expression differs from conventional expectations for their assigned sex.
Not conforming to type
- aberrantDeparting from what's typical
- anomalousDeviating from expected norms
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
- divergentDeviating from the norm
variant · nonstandard · outlier · untypical · departing · straying · discrepant · inconsistent
Idiosyncratically unusual
- peculiarStrangely unusual
- oddUnusual or not even
- unusualNot often encountered
- strangeUnusual or unfamiliar
whimsical · kooky · outlandish · bizarre · oddball · singular · freakish · zany
Contrary to accepted practice
- bohemianArtistic nonconformist type
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- alternativeAnother available choice
- offbeatPleasantly strange or unusual
original · innovative · idiosyncratic · free-spirited · progressive · pioneering · experimental · indie
Openly resisting control
- insubordinateDefying rightful authority
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
- dissidentOpposer of established systems
- insurgentOne who revolts
mutinous · resistant · disobedient · unruly · wayward · contrary · refractory · obstinate
Outside the two-category system
- nonbinaryOutside male-female categories
- gender-fluidVariable in identity
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
- agenderHaving no gender identity
bigender · androgynous · gender-expansive · genderless · two-spirit · trans · enby · intersex
atypical
Not conforming to type
- aberrantDeparting from what's typical
- anomalousDeviating from expected norms
- irregularDeviating from normal patterns
divergent · variant · nonstandard · outlier · untypical · departing · straying · discrepant · inconsistent · misaligned
quirky
Idiosyncratically unusual
strange · whimsical · kooky · outlandish · bizarre · oddball · singular · freakish · zany · fanciful
unorthodox
Contrary to accepted practice
- bohemianArtistic nonconformist type
- avant-gardeInnovative cultural pioneers
- alternativeAnother available choice
offbeat · original · innovative · idiosyncratic · free-spirited · progressive · pioneering · experimental · indie · radical
defiant
Openly resisting control
- insubordinateDefying rightful authority
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
- dissidentOpposer of established systems
insurgent · mutinous · resistant · disobedient · unruly · wayward · contrary · refractory · obstinate · willful
genderqueer
Outside the two-category system
- nonbinaryOutside male-female categories
- gender-fluidVariable in identity
- transgenderGender differs from assignment
agender · bigender · androgynous · gender-expansive · genderless · two-spirit · trans · enby · intersex · queer
non-conformingconforming
Meeting accepted standards
compliant · conformist · standard · complying · conventional
non-conformingconformist
One following accepted norms
conventional · mainstream · orthodox · fitting in · going along
non-conformingorthodox
Conforming to established belief
traditional · conventional · conformist · established · canonical
conform, conforming, conformity, conformist, conformism, nonconformist, nonconformity, conformation, conformable