NONTRADITIONAL Synonyms: 42 Similar and Opposite Words

nontraditional

adjective

ˌnän-trə-ˈdish-nəl

Definition of nontraditional

as in unconventional

not bound by traditional ways or beliefs a nontraditional couple who are planning a very unconventional wedding

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 nontraditional Policy solutions should prioritize insurance continuity during the transition into adulthood and implementing universal screening in nontraditional settings, the authors wrote. — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 23 June 2026 Additionally, studies have shown tornadoes are happening more often during nontraditional tornado months, lasting longer and beginning sooner as winters become warmer and more humid. — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2026 Who knew a nontraditional Big Ten program could overtake the South’s premier venue? — Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 18 June 2026 How an Emmy award-winning journalist and his husband turned to nontraditional means to build their family on their own terms. — Sugey Palomares, Parents, 18 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nontraditional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nontraditional

Adjective

Once regarded as one of baseball's better outfield prospects, Cameron has now taken an unconventional route back toward the majors.

— Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Your 9th House of Higher Learning activates as the Moon conjoins unconventional Uranus there, inviting you to widen your view and experiment with a different path.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 11 July 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

In a statement, an AT&T spokesperson said modern alternatives to copper hold up better during disasters and said landline service wouldn’t be discontinued until at least June 1, 2027.

— Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 7 July 2026
The asymmetrical silhouette is also fresh and modern, and Quince's supple Italian nappa leather looks far more expensive than its price.

— Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026

Definition of modern

Adjective

In the Green New Deal discussion, though, this hypothetical meat ban effectively functioned as metaphorical shortcut for progressive political overreach.

— David Rooney, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
By the early 1990s, Eugene had earned itself a reputation as a beacon of progressive-minded irreverence, drawing a pungent mix of weirdos, iconoclasts, and freethinkers.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Definition of progressive

Adjective

The façade is partially clad in white terra-cotta, an old-fashioned material that speaks to the neighborhood’s vintage architecture, but is used here in a contemporary way.

— Fred Albert, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Surrounded by olive trees, thyme, and lavender, Skinopi Lodge offers a contemporary take on traditional syrmata.

— Helen Iatrou, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2026

Definition of contemporary

Adjective

But Magen David Adom’s dispatch unit in Ramla, about 12 miles southeast of Tel Aviv, is more than 100 feet underground, safeguarded by thick walls and a sophisticated respirator system capable of providing clean air in case of conventional and nonconventional attacks.

— Matt Nighswander, NBC news, 4 Mar. 2026
The number is especially sobering given that Ritter’s metric measures from the first-day closing price (which is almost always higher than the official offer price), and excludes nonconventional IPOs like reverse mergers.

— Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026

Definition of nonconventional

Adjective

That’s what Rebecca Loviconi‘s ‘genre fusion’ feature doc Crime or Rescue will reveal, as the ‘romantic true crime’ story that’s set to hit the doc market follows radical animal activists who unexpectedly fall in love during the filming.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 6 July 2026
Alfaturk16’s leak locks in a July 22 release date for the new Galaxy Watches, potentially giving Samsung just a few weeks to unveil what could prove to be a radical addition to the company’s wearable portfolio.

— Paul Monckton, Forbes.com, 5 July 2026

Definition of radical

Browse Nearby Words

nontoxic

nontraditional

nontransferable

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Nontraditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nontraditional. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of nontraditional

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

yaw

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Popular in Wordplay

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10

Popular

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes