The antonyms for the word "followed example" could be "disregarded advice," "strayed from guidance," "ignored instructions," or "departed from the norm." When someone follows an example, they are typically adhering to a set of instructions, replicating a process or direction someone else has provided. The opposite of this would be diverging from that path, either intentionally or unintentionally. In some cases, straying from an example may lead to innovation or discovery, while in others, it may result in errors, confusion, and ultimately, failure. It's important to consider the context in which an antonym is used and weigh the potential outcomes before making a decision.