unconventional

unconventional

adjective

Definition of UNCONVENTIONAL

1

deviating from commonly accepted beliefs or practices <the Shakers acquired their name because of their unconventional practice of dancing with shaking movements during worship>

Synonyms dissentient, dissenting, dissident, heterodox, iconoclastic, maverick, nonconformist, nonorthodox, out-there, unconventional, unorthodox

Related Words free-spirited, freethinking, nontraditional; apostate, defecting, renegade; schismatic (also schismatical), sectarian, separatist

Antonyms conforming, conformist, conventional, orthodox

2

not bound by traditional ways or beliefs <had unconventional opinions on the raising of children>

Synonyms broad-minded, nonconventional, nonorthodox, nontraditional, open-minded, progressive, radical, unconventional, unorthodox

Related Words advanced, contemporary, modern; forbearing, indulgent, large-minded, lenient, permissive, tolerant; extreme; impartial, objective, unbiased

Near Antonyms hard, rigid, strict; doctrinal, dogmatic (also dogmatical); bigoted, blinkered, intolerant, narrow-minded; reactionary, unreconstructed

Antonyms conservative, conventional, hidebound, nonprogressive, old-fashioned, orthodox, stodgy, traditional

3

not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules <young, creative people who lead unconventional but fulfilling lifestyles>

Synonyms heterodox, irregular, unceremonious, unconventional, unorthodox

Related Words unauthorized, unofficial; casual, easygoing, familiar, free and easy, lax, loose, offhand, relaxed, ultracasual

Near Antonyms correct, decorous, proper; constrained, inhibited, restrained, rigid, stiff, stuffy, uptight

Antonyms ceremonial, ceremonious, conventional, formal, orthodox, regular, routine