The antonyms for the term "followed example of" could vary depending on the context, but generally speaking, they could be "rejected," "ignored," "deviated," "invented," "innovated," "created," "challenged," "bucked," or "defied." These antonyms suggest that instead of following or adhering to a specific example or plan, one could choose to go against the norm, think outside the box, and break the mold to pave a new path or find a different solution. While following an example could be helpful at times, it's important to remember that creativity and originality also play a vital role in shaping our world.