What does incompliance mean?
Incompliance is a formal noun meaning failure to follow a rule, instruction, legal requirement, or established procedure. It can describe either a deliberate refusal to cooperate or a situation in which a requirement is not met. The word is especially common in legal, regulatory, business, and administrative contexts, where it emphasizes nonconformity with an official or binding standard. For example, a company may be accused of incompliance with safety regulations, while a person may be criticized for incompliance with a formal request. Although 'noncompliance' is closely related and can be used as a synonym, 'incompliance' often has a somewhat more formal or institutional tone. The opposite is 'compliance,' which means conforming to a rule or requirement.
nounThe act of failing, refusing, or being unwilling to comply with a rule, requirement, or request. It may also refer to a state or condition of noncompliance.
- Failure or refusal to comply with a rule, law, instruction, or condition.
- A state or condition of failing to follow an established requirement or convention.
"The company faced criticism for its incompliance with the new safety regulations."
"Regulators cited the factory for incompliance with workplace safety standards."
"Her incompliance with the committee's instructions led to a formal warning."
The plural is 'incompliances,' typically referring to separate instances or cases of failing to comply.
"The audit documented several serious incompliances across the department."
Incompliance is the noun for saying no to a rule in practice, even when the rule is clearly written.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does incompliance come from?
Incompliance was formed in English in the 17th century by combining the prefix 'in-' with 'compliance,' meaning conformity with a rule or request. 'Compliance' derives from 'comply,' which comes through French from the Latin 'complere,' meaning to fulfil or fill up. Related English forms include 'comply,' 'compliant,' and 'compliance,' all sharing the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How incompliance is actually used
Incompliance is formal and commonly occurs in legal, regulatory, institutional, or administrative contexts. It is more common in British and US English than everyday expressions such as 'breaking the rules.'
Easily confused with incompliance
Compliance means acting in accordance with a rule or requirement, whereas incompliance means failing or refusing to do so.