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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in modern
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs
had unconventional opinions on the raising of children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in informal
not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules
young, creative people who lead unconventional but fulfilling lifestyles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of unconventional
By the end of the movie, police ended the crisis in a rather unconventional way, but all of the hostages managed to survive, echoing the real-life events the film is based on.
—
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Clarke’s 1985 doc Ornette: Made in America took an unconventional approach to chronicling the life and music of saxophonist Ornette Coleman.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
The narrative isn’t the only unconventional element.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
The mill embraces the beauty of imperfection and asymmetry in Chaos Aesthetics, a trend concept that favors expressive textures, unconventional finishes and rich tactile experiences.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Jordana Comiter, People.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Clarke’s 1985 doc Ornette: Made in America took an unconventional approach to chronicling the life and music of saxophonist Ornette Coleman.
—David Browne, Rolling Stone, 18 Apr. 2025
The narrative isn’t the only unconventional element.
—Gieson Cacho, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025
The mill embraces the beauty of imperfection and asymmetry in Chaos Aesthetics, a trend concept that favors expressive textures, unconventional finishes and rich tactile experiences.
—Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
-
In 1983, Dugin was sent to K.G.B. headquarters after performing dissident songs at a Moscow art studio.—
James Verini,
The New Yorker,
1 Mar. 2025
-
In one case, operatives posing as art dealers interested in purchasing a work by a dissident artist secretly installed surveillance equipment in his workplace and a GPS tracker on his car.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
The ability to influence others and follow through on commitments becomes more essential in the modern world.—
William Jones,
USA Today,
3 May 2025
-
Recently, that’s meant enlisting a slew of TikTok creators to pass along the pro-milk mantle to a new generation of consumers that grew up in the age of almond milk, quietly advancing a more inclusive ideal of the modern milk drinker.—
HubSpot,
HubSpot,
2 May 2025
Adjective
-
Reznick and some former Video Game Writers Caucus members continue to hold informal group meetings.—
Simon Abrams,
HollywoodReporter,
25 Apr. 2025
-
In an informal presentation Monday to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Evjen and his consultants said the project would cluster the condos and parking to provide acreage for a wide conservation easement around the pond.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
In the dissenting view, the star collapses to the edge of the event horizon and then hovers there, or rebounds and explodes.—
Corey S. Powell,
Discover Magazine,
26 Feb. 2015
-
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
-
This region is home to the greatest share of women having children at 40 and older — a trend that experts chalk up to a combination of economic opportunity, progressive social norms and access to reproductive technology.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
3 May 2025
-
Last but not least, Lavia’s progressive passing talents make Marescaball much more watchable for supporters — as long as his body holds up.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Adjective
-
For now, there’s nothing quite so out-there, although deer blood is the star ingredient in the final dessert, a chocolate-ish (but cocoa-free) fondant served with hazelnut praline and malt ice cream.—
Ann Abel,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
-
An out-there premise, for sure, but one that has so far worked out better than anyone had a right to expect.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Labor is bullish about the chances its local candidate, Ali France, could end Dutton’s two decades in parliament – and the early vote-count showed the Liberal leader could be in trouble.—
Hilary Whiteman and Angus Watson,
CNN Money,
3 May 2025
-
Lee’s main liberal opposition Democratic Party lambasted Han’s move.—
Hyung-Jin Kim,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Stellantis is currently leaderless, in financial difficulties and under great pressure to make some radical changes.—
Neil Winton,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
-
Meanwhile, Kamran has taken radical stances of her own.—
Rachel Wolf,
FOXNews.com,
3 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share