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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unconventional
Many of the most coveted beauty products come from South Korea, where innovative skin care using cutting-edge — and sometimes unconventional — ingredients is the norm.
—
Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 2026
The series premiered on March 11 and became a Top 10 hit in 26 countries, per Deadline, with viewers around the world invested in the unconventional approach to finding romance.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Chefs and home cooks alike have embraced the art of pickling, experimenting with unconventional ingredients like fiddlehead ferns and green strawberries.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
How Researchers Cracked the Greenland Shark Age Mystery Nielsen’s team used an unconventional method to determine the sharks’ ages.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 1 Apr. 2026
The series premiered on March 11 and became a Top 10 hit in 26 countries, per Deadline, with viewers around the world invested in the unconventional approach to finding romance.
—Christopher Rudolph, PEOPLE, 1 Apr. 2026
Chefs and home cooks alike have embraced the art of pickling, experimenting with unconventional ingredients like fiddlehead ferns and green strawberries.
—Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
How Researchers Cracked the Greenland Shark Age Mystery Nielsen’s team used an unconventional method to determine the sharks’ ages.
—Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
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Soon, the childhood acquaintances are embarking on a surveillance caper, eavesdropping on a dissident pop star (Rebecca Naomi Jones).—
Dan Stahl,
New Yorker,
13 Mar. 2026
-
In the weeks before that dinner, dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and the Times and other outlets reported that world leaders had come to suspect the crown prince in the murder.—
Martha Ross,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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But this modern approach is teamed with ancient medicinal practices and a holistic, full-circle philosophy.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
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Those are just some of the ways in which the three elements have become critical for modern manufacturing, including for defense.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Food and drink Head to Cugino for breakfast or an informal lunch.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Through performances, activations, and informal exchanges, visitors are invited to share personal stories that become part of an evolving audio component.—
Olga Garcia-Mayoral,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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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In the movie, which was progressive for its time, the trans character attempts suicide after being subjected to emotional and physical abuse by the manipulative Sonny, who tries to make amends by going rogue and stealing money for their surgery.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
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Upstairs, Riva Terrace is a super-fun warm-weather spot for Italian small plates and progressive cocktails like First Light (a pineapple-run creation infused with ginger and ginseng) overlooking the outdoor pool and the office buildings of downtown.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The show was always an out-there concept, even for HBO.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
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The planet is the setting for an unlikely mix of sci-fi, magic, and fantasy, populated by a bizarre assortment of characters whose origins were usually determined by the out-there whims of toymakers — there really is no other way to explain Snout Spout.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Gorsuch’s opinion drew support from liberal Justices Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
31 Mar. 2026
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Even those who advocated for conservative positions were compelled to make their case in language amenable to the liberal sensibility.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The proliferation of biennials in the ’90s made the art world multicentric and global, a radical shift compared with previous decades.—
Daniel Birnbaum,
Artforum,
2 Apr. 2026
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The new group is less radical and much more reasonable.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
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