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

Synonyms of unorthodox

• unconventional
• dissident
• out-there

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

Robin Williams wore it as the unorthodox poetry teacher in Dead Poets Society; Donald Sutherland donned his own wide-wale version as the burnout professor in Animal House. — John Vorwald, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2026

This chaos, though, turned into order when the team processed their data in a slightly unorthodox way. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 10 Oct. 2026

Beurre blanc pools in the base of its bowl — an unorthodox addition, perhaps an insurance policy for overall lusciousness, but its presence doesn’t interfere flavor-wise. — Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Nesher, who made the 1970 iconic local hit The Band (a kind of Israeli M*A*S*H), used an unorthodox development practice reminiscent of Mike Leigh and other art-meets-life Method hounds. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unorthodox

• heterodox
• homeobox
• aftershocks
• chatterbox
• chickenpox
• equinox
• firebox
• goldilocks
• hollyhocks
• interlocks
• orthodox
• paradox

Kids Definition

unorthodox

adjective

un·​or·​tho·​dox ˌən-ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks 

ˈən-

: not orthodox : not usual

an unorthodox teaching method