as in unconventional
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs
a nontraditional couple who are planning a very unconventional wedding
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Recent Examples of nontraditional
Fernandes is no stranger to nontraditional dance spaces.
—
Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
For people with nontraditional schedules — like first responders, overnight workers and journalists — getting quality sleep can be even more challenging.
—Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
These pivotal memories of Clark and Floyd’s buddy romance amount to another darkly comic portrait of a nontoxic male friendship — complete with nontraditional definitions of manhood that place meaningful friendships over monolithic strength — all built on a foundation of lies and insecurities.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
In addition to mozzarella (salty, springy) there is a very nontraditional layer of Swiss cheese, lending a gently savory note.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nontraditional
Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 1 Apr. 2026
For people with nontraditional schedules — like first responders, overnight workers and journalists — getting quality sleep can be even more challenging.
—Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026
These pivotal memories of Clark and Floyd’s buddy romance amount to another darkly comic portrait of a nontoxic male friendship — complete with nontraditional definitions of manhood that place meaningful friendships over monolithic strength — all built on a foundation of lies and insecurities.
—Andy Andersen, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2026
In addition to mozzarella (salty, springy) there is a very nontraditional layer of Swiss cheese, lending a gently savory note.
—Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nontraditional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nontraditional
Adjective
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That’s the impact Figueroa and Messmann hope to have with the boxing club and other unconventional programs at ATLAS.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
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The Cubs will need more performances like Thielbar’s over the next week or so from potentially unconventional options in key moments because of injuries that have challenged the bullpen’s depth.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Purists may object, but Rolex’s modern movements are quite lovely to behold.—
Allen Farmelo,
Robb Report,
14 Apr. 2026
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On April 21, 1526, a Central Asian prince named Babur defeated the Delhi sultanate ruler Ibrahim Lodi in India and laid the foundations of what would become one of the most important empires of early modern history—the Mughal Empire (1526–1857).—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Steyer, a billionaire hedge fund manager turned liberal activist, had support from 9% of Republicans.—
Lucas Robinson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
14 Apr. 2026
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The character had been written as white, but Zendaya tried out anyway; her auditioning called the bluff of liberal Hollywood.—
Doreen St. Félix,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Her announcement touched off a new round of progressive candidates backing away from the Iron Dome.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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Wagner is among a bevy of hosts from progressive outlet Crooked Media who can be seen on MS NOW every Saturday night at 9 in clips from the collective’s sundry podcasts.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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LaFave told me that some of the guys like to have herbal tea in the evenings and discuss issues such as the problems with contemporary masculinity.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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Fiapoto is one of the Bay Area’s most prominent contemporary rapper, whose moniker is a reference to his gang, according to police.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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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
Adjective
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The trio, and others in their intellectual circle, share a few radical views.—
Emma Green,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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No, the blame falls on moderate Democrats, who knew darn well what progressives and progressivism represented but did nothing to prevent the radical left from engineering a takeover of their party.—
Chris Roemer,
Baltimore Sun,
16 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nontraditional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nontraditional. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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