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Definition of nimbyism

nimbyism

/ˈnɪm.bi.ɪ.zəm/
nim · by · is · m
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nimbyism Lexical Profile

nimbyism Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The practice or attitude of opposing the construction of new developments, infrastructure, or public facilities near one's own neighborhood, especially while supporting such projects elsewhere.

Example

"The city council's plan to build affordable housing was delayed for years by persistent nimbyism from wealthy homeowners."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for nimbyism
Antonyms
View all antonyms for nimbyism

Word Nuance & Usage

Usually used with a pejorative or critical connotation to imply that residents are prioritizing their own convenience or property values over broader social needs.

• Nearby Words

nimbleness
nimbly
nimbus
nimbyism
nimrod
nincompoop
nine

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 1980s by adding the suffix '-ism' to the acronym NIMBY, which stands for 'not in my backyard.'

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Nimbyism. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/nimbyism
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