nonmainstream

adjective

non·​main·​stream ˌnän-ˈmān-ˌstrēm How to pronounce nonmainstream (audio)
: not having, reflecting, or being compatible with the prevailing attitudes and values of a society or group : not belonging to the mainstream
nonmainstream values
nonmainstream groups
nonmainstream music/literature

Examples of nonmainstream in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web And when the filibuster threatened to block Gorsuch—that is, when it was poised to accomplish its alleged purpose of thwarting nonmainstream nominees—Republicans killed it. Mark Joseph Stern, Slate Magazine, 7 Apr. 2017 Assaults against Western targets, churches and nonmainstream Islamic groups have preoccupied Indonesian security agencies for the past 15 years. Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2016

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nonmainstream.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nonmainstream was in 1960

Dictionary Entries Near nonmainstream

Cite this Entry

“Nonmainstream.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nonmainstream. Accessed 26 Apr. 2024.

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