ˌən-kən-ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
1
as in dissident
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 & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in modern
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs
had unconventional opinions on the raising of children
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in informal
not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules
young, creative people who lead unconventional but fulfilling lifestyles
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unconventional
Unger, who lives in Clearwater, has a reputation for solid stand-alone thrillers that have landed on bestseller lists, with unusual plots and unconventional motives shrouded in dark-but-not-oppressive atmospheres.
—
Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
As his son was lying partially paralyzed in a hospital bed, Ozog got a call from a colleague who had an unconventional suggestion.
—Lynne Peeples, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
Gupta has built a screen career defined by a consistent preference for unconventional material.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Perhaps the unconventional atmosphere is partly why Anjin is up for the prestigious James Beard Award — the restaurant world’s Oscar equivalent.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2026
As his son was lying partially paralyzed in a hospital bed, Ozog got a call from a colleague who had an unconventional suggestion.
—Lynne Peeples, Scientific American, 26 Mar. 2026
Gupta has built a screen career defined by a consistent preference for unconventional material.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Perhaps the unconventional atmosphere is partly why Anjin is up for the prestigious James Beard Award — the restaurant world’s Oscar equivalent.
—Kansas City Star, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
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Soon, the childhood acquaintances are embarking on a surveillance caper, eavesdropping on a dissident pop star (Rebecca Naomi Jones).—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
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In the weeks before that dinner, dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and the Times and other outlets reported that world leaders had come to suspect the crown prince in the murder.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But this modern approach is teamed with ancient medicinal practices and a holistic, full-circle philosophy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Those are just some of the ways in which the three elements have become critical for modern manufacturing, including for defense.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Crain requested an informal report on data centers from city staff on Monday, March 23.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
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By the end of production, Simmonds was running informal signing tests with the rest of the cast on set during breaks.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Board member Renee Paschall cast the lone dissenting vote on the final package.—
Elizabeth Sander,
San Antonio Express-News,
19 Aug. 2022
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The document runs to more than a hundred and fifty pages, and for each question there are affirmative and dissenting studies, as well as some that indicate mixed results.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
3 June 2022
Adjective
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In the movie, which was progressive for its time, the trans character attempts suicide after being subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the manipulative Sonny, who tries to make amends by going rogue and stealing money for their surgery.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Upstairs, Riva Terrace is a super-fun warm-weather spot for Italian small plates and progressive cocktails like First Light (a pineapple-run creation infused with ginger and ginseng) overlooking the outdoor pool and the office buildings of downtown.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The show was always an out-there concept, even for HBO.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
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The planet is the setting for an unlikely mix of sci-fi, magic, and fantasy, populated by a bizarre assortment of characters whose origins were usually determined by the out-there whims of toymakers — there really is no other way to explain Snout Spout.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Gorsuch’s opinion drew support from liberal Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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Even those who advocated for conservative positions were compelled to make their case in language amenable to the liberal sensibility.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His themes intersect with those of Kiarostami—an anti-authoritarianism that, though no less radical, is an ironic, self-deprecating one.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
27 Mar. 2026
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The most radical changes all concern food and drink in one way or another.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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