non-compliant
/ˌnɒn.kəmˈplaɪ.ənt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːn.kəmˈplaɪ.ənt/ (ame, ipa)
non-compliant — adjective
1. not willing to follow a direct instruction or request from someone in charge, of
not willing to follow a direct instruction or request from someone in charge, often by refusing to act or by doing the opposite.
The new intern was non-compliant and kept ignoring the supervisor's safety instructions.
predicative use in a workplace report
Kemi's son became non-compliant whenever the dentist asked him to open wider.
become + non-compliant
Staff called the visitor non-compliant after he refused the bag check.
During rehearsal, Tomas stayed non-compliant and would not join the group bow.
The camp leader struggled with a non-compliant child who kept leaving the line.
- disobedient
more common for children or pets; less institutional in tone
- defiant
stronger; suggests open challenge rather than simple refusal
- uncooperative
focuses on not helping or working together, not necessarily on authority
- obedient
willing to follow instructions from a person in authority
- cooperative
emphasizes working with others rather than resisting
文法句型
become / stay + non-compliant
call / label + object + non-compliant
用法筆記
Formal and often used in school, security, or workplace records. This sense focuses on ignoring a direct request from a person, not on breaking an official rule.
常見錯誤
2. failing to meet an official rule, legal requirement, or industry standard that a
failing to meet an official rule, legal requirement, or industry standard that a company, product, building, or activity is expected to follow.
The factory was ruled non-compliant after inspectors found blocked fire exits.
be ruled non-compliant
Gabriel rejected the shipment because the labels were non-compliant with EU rules.
non-compliant with + rules
Several rental units remained non-compliant until the owner fixed the wiring.
The audit showed that the school's lunch records were non-compliant with city rules.
A non-compliant website can be fined if it ignores privacy standards.
- illegal
stronger and narrower; means actually against the law, not just outside a standard
- defective
focuses on a physical fault, not on whether a rule has been met
- substandard
focuses on poor quality; may or may not involve a legal breach
文法句型
be non-compliant with + rule / law / standard
be found / ruled + non-compliant
用法筆記
Most common in audits, contracts, safety checks, and official notices. The subject is usually a company, product, record, building, or process rather than a person.
常見錯誤
3. not sticking to medical advice or a treatment plan, for example by missing doses
not sticking to medical advice or a treatment plan, for example by missing doses, refusing a vaccine, or ignoring care instructions.
Quan was marked non-compliant after missing three doses of his blood-pressure medicine.
marked non-compliant in a medical record
Anna was labeled non-compliant when she stopped the antibiotics early.
labeled non-compliant after stopping treatment
After surgery, Emre became non-compliant and skipped the breathing exercises.
Nurses worry when a non-compliant patient with diabetes avoids follow-up visits.
Christopher's chart noted that he was non-compliant with the vaccine schedule.
- non-adherent
more technical medical term for not following a treatment plan
- resistant
broader; can suggest emotional opposition rather than missed treatment steps
- uncooperative
broader and less precise; may describe attitude rather than treatment behaviour
文法句型
be non-compliant with + medication / treatment
be labeled / marked + non-compliant
用法筆記
Used mainly by medical staff and in charts. It can sound impersonal or critical, so in everyday conversation people often say 'not following the treatment plan' instead.