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unorthodox

adjective

un·​or·​tho·​dox ˌən-ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks How to pronounce unorthodox (audio)
: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
At competitions, my wild belts and affinity for unorthodox embellishments set my outfits apart, while, at the barn, Canonboy is determined to eat the fluff on my various Gigi Burris mohawk hats. Katharine K. Zarrella, Vogue, 25 Nov. 2025 How the study works — But take these numbers with a large pinch of salt, because the method that yielded them is unorthodox. Billy Perrigo, Time, 25 Nov. 2025 Almendros’ unorthodox approach — shaped by working on documentaries in Cuban rather than studio convention — overturned decades of lighting rules for Rousselot. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 21 Nov. 2025 The improvised anchor was just one of the unorthodox elements of the rescue, Bumgartner said. Frederick Dreier, Outside, 19 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unorthodox

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unorthodox was in 1629

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Cite this Entry

“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unorthodox. Accessed 3 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

unorthodox

adjective
un·​or·​tho·​dox ˌən-ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks How to pronounce unorthodox (audio)
ˈən-
: not orthodox : not usual
an unorthodox teaching method

More from Merriam-Webster on unorthodox

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