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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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
The Trump administration’s unconventional and unpredictable foreign policy is creating openings in Africa, Latin America, and among China’s Asian neighbors.
—
Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2025
Patience, Moonbeam is a sonically surprising and structurally unconventional indie rock record.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2025
Across sports and eras, there are too many examples of athletes with ‘unconventional’ form succeeding for ‘good form’ — whatever that is — to be truly necessary.
—Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Barnes had an unconventional approach to art collecting, particularly through his focus on juxtaposing fine art with decorative pieces.
—Meredith Wolf Schizer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Jude Blanchette, Foreign Affairs, 27 Mar. 2025
Patience, Moonbeam is a sonically surprising and structurally unconventional indie rock record.
—Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 26 Mar. 2025
Across sports and eras, there are too many examples of athletes with ‘unconventional’ form succeeding for ‘good form’ — whatever that is — to be truly necessary.
—Liam Tharme, The Athletic, 23 Mar. 2025
Barnes had an unconventional approach to art collecting, particularly through his focus on juxtaposing fine art with decorative pieces.
—Meredith Wolf Schizer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
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He’d been allowed through the security checkpoint to attend a session given by a professor at the university, a Tunisian dissident and political exile, a specialist in the liberation movements of the Global South.—
David Bezmozgis,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
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Rumors about an investigation against He first surfaced among the Chinese dissident community following China’s annual political meetings last month.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The curved, low-profile silhouette creates a modern spin on the otherwise classic design, while the chair’s high-density foam filling offers superior support.—
Megan Schaltegger,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Most of the modern canal network originally dates to pre-Hispanic times, more than 1400 years ago.—
Ari Caramanica,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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When the executive order goes into effect, de minimis packages from China will be subject to an informal entry process, and each package that travels to the U.S. via international post will now be subject to a tariff rate of 120 percent or $100, a rate that will increase to $200 after June 1.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
14 Apr. 2025
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What exactly are the rules for saving seats at an informal event where seats are not assigned? Related Articles Miss Manners: Heroes?—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In the dissenting view, the star collapses to the edge of the event horizon and then hovers there, or rebounds and explodes.—
Corey S. Powell,
Discover Magazine,
26 Feb. 2015
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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
-
California voters further reversed progressive policies by passing Proposition 36, which enhances penalties for theft and drug offenses.—
Carson Becker,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
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Alon-Lee Green, the founding co-director of Standing Together, a progressive grassroots movement, told CNN that young people aren’t at fault for the extremist attitudes that are dividing wider Israeli society.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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An out-there premise, for sure, but one that has so far worked out better than anyone had a right to expect.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
12 Mar. 2025
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Paired with these out-there visuals are rather poignant subtitles as Noah ponders time and grief, ultimately leading him to embrace the present and enjoy every moment with the doll before losing track of him.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Rest assured, the play makes liberal use of the Netflix show’s signature electro-ethereal theme music.—
Sarah Bahr,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 2025
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The Supreme Court declined to lift the lower court’s order, with Barrett and another conservative, Chief Justice John Roberts, joining the three liberal justices: Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sotomayor.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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When Grant became president in 1869 and tried to crack down on the Ku Klux Klan and other white supremacist groups, ex-Confederates demonized him as a radical extremist who had betrayed his promises to Lee.—
Made by History,
Time,
9 Apr. 2025
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These are not radical propositions but instead form baseline expectations for any organization that is entrusted with the lives, safety and stories of vulnerable people.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 20 Apr. 2025.
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