nonenforced

Lacking official backing

Nonenforced describes rules, laws, or policies that exist on paper but aren't actively applied or upheld: The speed limit on that stretch is essentially nonenforced.

A nonenforced regulation may remain technically valid while being ignored in practice, whether through deliberate policy, lack of resources, or simple neglect.

voluntary

optional

Not mandatory

discretionarySubject to personal judgment
voluntaryDone by choice
electiveChosen, not mandated

uncompelled · uncoerced · unmandated · unrequired · self-regulated · self-directed · autonomous · freewill · willing · spontaneous

lax

lenient

Tolerant of faults

permissiveTolerant, lacking strictness
laxInsufficiently firm or rigorous
tolerantAccepting of differences

relaxed · loose · slack · soft · flexible · easygoing · indulgent · forgiving · casual · undemanding

neglected

ignored

Purposely not noticed

overlookedNot noticed or considered
disregardedNot given consideration
forgottenNo longer recalled

unattended · unapplied · inactive · dormant · defunct · obsolete · abandoned · derelict · lapsed · suspended

Opposites

enforcement status

nonenforcedenforced

Made to be followed

policed · compelled · mandated · imposed · monitored

regulatory stringency

nonenforcedstrict

Rigorous, without flexibility

stringent · rigorous · mandatory · compulsory · hard-and-fast

binding authority

nonenforcedmandatory

Required by rule

compulsory · obligatory · binding · strict · required

Family

enforce, enforced, enforcer, enforcers, enforcing, enforcement, enforcements, enforceable, unenforced

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Rated G