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
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2
as in modern
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs
had unconventional opinions on the raising of children
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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
Before her nomination last spring, Means—who dropped out of her surgical residency in 2018—embraced some unconventional theories about wellness.
—
Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
The choice of a mentalist is unconventional, but the WHCA has recently departed from a traditional night of standup.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
The unconventional configuration of spacetime in Kasq's neck of the woods offers a unique opportunity.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Natural fibers are an unconventional choice in this day and age, but Amundsen has closed the gap between natural fibers and high performance for a look that’s subtle in both appearance and sound.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Tom Bartlett, The Atlantic, 26 Feb. 2026
The choice of a mentalist is unconventional, but the WHCA has recently departed from a traditional night of standup.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 26 Feb. 2026
The unconventional configuration of spacetime in Kasq's neck of the woods offers a unique opportunity.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 26 Feb. 2026
Natural fibers are an unconventional choice in this day and age, but Amundsen has closed the gap between natural fibers and high performance for a look that’s subtle in both appearance and sound.
—Todd Plummer, Robb Report, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
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That decision might also help keep Iranians inside the country isolated from the large dissident movement in the diaspora.—
Anne Applebaum,
The Atlantic,
28 Feb. 2026
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Gu’s critics found more fuel Thursday night following the heroics of Liu, the daughter of a Chinese dissident father who fled China due to his role in the pro-democracy protests and ensuing massacre in Tiananmen Square in 1989.—
Griffin Eckstein,
NBC news,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The rooms The rooms carry the InterContinental’s signature sleek aesthetic, featuring warm wood, gold and cream accents, elegant reading lamps, and modern art adorning the walls.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 Mar. 2026
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During the upcoming parliamentary meeting this year, policymakers are also expected to release details of a new five-year development plan, the 15th such program in China's modern history.—
Evelyn Cheng,Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The annual event in Indianapolis also allows general managers to speak with one another in person, engage in informal chats with agents and meet with the media to discuss their visions.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
25 Feb. 2026
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This was at a time before the blues had become popularized and migrated to clubs on the North Side, and so Branch spent nights at such South and West Side clubs as Pepper’s Lounge, Checkerboard, Theresa’s Lounge and no-name basements and informal spaces.—
Rick Kogan,
Chicago Tribune,
25 Feb. 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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Bobby Pulido is facing physician Ada Cuellar, a more progressive candidate endorsed by Crockett — another test of how much primary voters weigh party and ideological loyalty against the premise of electability.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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Democrats are facing a tense primary of their own for the same seat, in what has become a progressive versus progressive standoff over how to win in a place where the party has lost ground and influence.—
Hunter Woodall,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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While casual fans of Bessette-Kennedy’s style might imagine her wardrobe as simple above all else, the fashion insider had a taste for the out-there stuff, too.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The resulting back and forth on social media, between the campaign and its liberal critics, consumed much of the race’s final days.—
Benjamin Wallace-Wells,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
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The court’s three liberal justices publicly dissented, saying the case is still working its way through lower courts and there was no need to step in now.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Simultaneously, the rise of populist, authoritarian leaders and the radical right is destabilizing democracies.—
Time,
Time,
26 Feb. 2026
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State preemption at this sweeping level is a radical departure from the current system.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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