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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unconventional
The Netflix rom-com show about the unlikely romance between unconventional rabbi Noah Roklov (Adam Brody) and dating podcaster Joanne Williams (Kristen Bell) is back for season 2.
—
Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Said to be inspired by Hansen-Løve’s own relationship with French director Olivier Assayas, Bergman Island is an unconventional romance film that is about both the difficulties of love and the love of difficult movies.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
The new two-toned bordeaux is especially striking for an unconventional holiday table, though the print is available in several other shades that are versatile enough to use daily.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Trump is unconventional, but not dictatorial.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Skyler Trepel, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
Said to be inspired by Hansen-Løve’s own relationship with French director Olivier Assayas, Bergman Island is an unconventional romance film that is about both the difficulties of love and the love of difficult movies.
—Erik Morse, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2025
The new two-toned bordeaux is especially striking for an unconventional holiday table, though the print is available in several other shades that are versatile enough to use daily.
—Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 23 Oct. 2025
Trump is unconventional, but not dictatorial.
—Nicole Russell, USA Today, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
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The recipient was the dissident theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who had been imprisoned several months earlier, on account of his opposition to the Nazi regime.—
Alex Ross,
New Yorker,
21 Oct. 2025
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Among them were 17 members of the Iranian dissident organization Mojahedin-e-Khalq (MEK).—
Beth Bailey,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The cropped, slim fit gives it a modern shape that layers cleanly under blazers or coats.—
Alesandra Dubin,
Travel + Leisure,
31 Oct. 2025
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The franchise fired its modern star Melissa Barrera over posts in support of Palestine.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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After an informal question and answer session with several representatives from TCEQ, more than a dozen people stepped to the microphone to deliver comments on the proposal.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
31 Oct. 2025
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It’s supported education for refugee children, clean water and sanitation, livelihoods for informal waste pickers and funded factory decarbonization initiatives.—
Jasmin Malik Chua,
Sourcing Journal,
31 Oct. 2025
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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Hamida’s decision not to go to India comes with the recognition that the return of thousands of abducted women to their families wasn’t an indication that society was suddenly progressive.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
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The actress has been a lifelong supporter of liberal and progressive causes, from transgender rights to electing more women to political office.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That group — which also included voices from prominent genre brands like Vinegar Syndrome, Fangoria, MPI Media, Alter, and more — toasted not just the scariest cinema but the most out-there media of all kinds.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
21 Oct. 2025
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Every Tuesday, a corner of the Mezquitán market turns into a massive secondhand clothing bazaar, with heaps of statement vintage finds and out-there patterned fabrics spread out over long tables.—
David Shortell,
Travel + Leisure,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The actress has been a lifelong supporter of liberal and progressive causes, from transgender rights to electing more women to political office.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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Mellon, who once supported liberal social initiatives, later shifted toward conservative views, expressing criticism of large federal welfare programs.—
Jessica Coacci,
Fortune,
30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In a 30-minute interview, Martin defended how the party has been managing its internal divisions, and pushed back at Republicans who have accused Democrats of embracing violence and radical politics.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
31 Oct. 2025
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Yet Mamdani proposes to turn Gotham into a laboratory for radical economic redistribution and left-wing social engineering.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 1 Nov. 2025.
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