unorthodox
adjective
un·or·tho·dox
ˌən-ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks 
: not orthodox : different from established or conventional doctrine, or practices, customs, or opinion
unorthodox views/beliefs
She's known for using unorthodox methods to achieve her goals.
unorthodoxly
adverb
Examples of unorthodox in a Sentence
a time when people with unorthodox religious views were banished from the colony
raised by an aunt, whose unorthodox parenting practices made for a strange but fun childhood
Recent Examples on the Web
One of their top backup big men sat out Friday night due to load management, causing some unorthodox lineups.
—
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Feb. 2026
Perhaps in his most unorthodox maneuver, Baker split the store and e-commerce operations of Saks Fifth Avenue, Hudson’s Bay and Saks Off 5th into separate companies in 2021, hoping to capitalize on the boom in e-commerce that occurred due to the pandemic.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
The sense of playfulness and experimentation extended to Fennell and Sandgren’s influences and reference points, which went beyond other films and even paintings and into more unorthodox areas.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 2026
Her unorthodox plan had one fledgling publisher’s name all over it — Bindery Books.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
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Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 21 Feb. 2026
Perhaps in his most unorthodox maneuver, Baker split the store and e-commerce operations of Saks Fifth Avenue, Hudson’s Bay and Saks Off 5th into separate companies in 2021, hoping to capitalize on the boom in e-commerce that occurred due to the pandemic.
—David Moin, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026
The sense of playfulness and experimentation extended to Fennell and Sandgren’s influences and reference points, which went beyond other films and even paintings and into more unorthodox areas.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 19 Feb. 2026
Her unorthodox plan had one fledgling publisher’s name all over it — Bindery Books.
—Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Cite this Entry
“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unorthodox. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
unorthodox
adjective
un·or·tho·dox
ˌən-ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks
ˈən-
: not orthodox : not usual
an unorthodox teaching method
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