NONCONVENTIONAL Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

nonconventional

adjective

ˌnän-kən-ˈvench-nəl

Definition of nonconventional

as in unconventional

not bound by traditional ways or beliefs his nonconventional cures were the subject of some controversy

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 nonconventional Green Berets are training alongside Mexico’s elite marine infantry units in conventional and nonconventional combat techniques. — Risa Brooks, Foreign Affairs, 8 Apr. 2025 After building two lucrative businesses, the serial entrepreneur and attorney set her sights on ensuring her family was also a success in a nonconventional way. — Jasmine Browley, Essence, 6 Oct. 2024 The house was founded in 1966 by Spanish fashion maverick Paco Rabanne, whose futuristic vision and use of nonconventional materials became a reference in Space Age chic. — Miles Socha, Footwear News, 3 Sep. 2019 Oil producers are working harder than ever to replace their reserves and, increasingly, turning to nonconventional petroleum sources such as Canada’s tarry bitumen and ultra-deepwater offshore wells. — IEEE Spectrum, 30 Aug. 2012 See All Example Sentences for nonconventional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonconventional

Adjective

Despite the unconventional nature, both Ray J and Brown likely walked away with significant earnings from the Zeus Promotions event.

— Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
After using unconventional tactics, such as water-dropping helicopters, LAFD crews knocked down the fire and returned the property to Lineage for cleanup.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

There’s a keen juxtaposition of the old and the modern throughout this part of Edinburgh, where buildings made of ancient volcanic sandstone accommodate hip boutiques like record store Underground Solu'shn and coffee shops like The Milkman.

— Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Okuyama emphasizes a focus on lightweight construction and a direct human connection, using traditional craftsmanship alongside modern tech.

— Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of modern

Adjective

Americans and Europeans who identify as leftist or liberal tend to have fewer children than those who identify as conservative or right-leaning.

— Olga Khazan, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
The three finalists are liberal strongholds surrounded by the type of suburban areas that have become increasingly important to the party in recent elections.

— Mike Catalini, Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of liberal

Adjective

Black Americans were struggling against the legacy of Jim Crow, and Abdeen interned with Ernest Goodman, a civil-rights lawyer who was reviving the National Lawyers Guild, a collective of progressive legal professionals.

— Rozina Ali, New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2026
Several political programs returned to the chart this quarter, including Mark Levin Podcast, Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar, The David Pakman Show, Pivot, and Piers Morgan Uncensored, spanning both progressive and conservative audiences.

— Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of progressive

Adjective

Employers are missing a significant pool of talent by not including students from community colleges and those with certifications or nontraditional backgrounds.

— Michelle Sims, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Digital media and the people who star in it have been cultural mainstays for teens’ entire lives, so creating social media, video or podcast content seems a natural, albeit nontraditional, career path.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of nontraditional

Adjective

The logo pairs yellow, drawn from colors associated with celebration in Tamil Nadu including turmeric and marigold, with electric blue for a contemporary, premium look.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Fellini is considered one of Rimini’s most famous citizens who is memorialized in the city’s unique contemporary museum.

— Irene S. Levine, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of contemporary

Adjective

The Khmer Rouge group that ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 was accused of genocide for causing the deaths of so many countrymen from executions, starvation and lack of medical care due to its radical policies.

— Sopheng Cheang, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Legalization makes that imagery easy to flatten, but Frankie lighting a joint in that guy’s driveway still feels like a radical act.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of radical

Browse Nearby Words

noncontroversial

nonconventional

noncooperation

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“Nonconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonconventional. Accessed 23 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of nonconventional

adjective

Example Sentences

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