UNCONVENTIONAL Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

unconventional

adjective

ˌən-kən-ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)nəl

Definition of unconventional

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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Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in modern

not bound by traditional ways or beliefs had unconventional opinions on the raising of children

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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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of unconventional In early October, Ammon Bundy, a far-right activist known for his unconventional protest tactics, reportedly had multiple run-ins with law enforcement officers along Interstate 15 in Utah. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2026 Experts recommend gradually increasing intake and taking food safety precautions before consuming unconventional parts of produce. — Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 30 Oct. 2026 Following the unconventional orders from his doctor, Kathryn agrees to help trigger Rob’s memory by retracing their romance and reintroducing him to the holidays. — Rachel Labonte, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2026 And the unconventional nature and tremendous box-office reception of his and Lance Oppenheim’s film was a hot topic of discussion. — Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 29 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unconventional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional

Adjective

The head of the United Kingdom’s MI5 spy agency said Iran is trying to strike military sites in Britain, going beyond the traditional targets of dissident Iranians.

— Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026
The regime transmuted its coercive force into political legitimacy through the spectacular destruction of dissident bodies, restoring reverence for the Eagle.

— Abdelrahman ElGendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of dissident

Adjective

Together, these developments enable engineers to improve performance, capacity, and efficiency across modern electronics.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 7 Nov. 2026
In the heritage rooms, the mood is more bright and airy though still quite modern.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026

Definition of modern

Adjective

Youth unemployment stands at about 23% and a large majority of those who do have a job work in the informal sector.

— ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Just this week, some Massachusetts senators voted in an informal session to advance a bill that would put a stop to springing forward and falling back.

— Amanda Callahan, CBS News, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of informal

Adjective

The Fed’s interest rate-setting committee is divided and saw the most dissenting votes in more than three decades last month.

— Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Board member Renee Paschall cast the lone dissenting vote on the final package.

— Elizabeth Sander, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Aug. 2022

Definition of dissenting

Adjective

New progressive voices on Capitol Hill, buoyed by midterm wins and stronger numbers, promise to make a lot of noise about delivering on AI.

— Ashley Gold, semafor.com, 5 Nov. 2026
Mamdani, who rose to the national spotlight through his mayoral campaign in 2025, flexed his influence in the primaries by endorsing three progressive House candidates in deep-blue New York City districts.

— Jared Ochacher, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of progressive

Adjective

None of it feels remotely tied to the zeitgeist, instead showing an artist galvanized by their own out-there proclivities and exhilarated by the limitations of whatever ramshackle gear might be lying around a home studio.

— Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
For music this uncompromising and out-there, the process is just as, if not more, important as the result.

— Reed Jackson, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of out-there

Adjective

Reducing the death sentences could help him in a primary with a Democratic base of like-minded liberal voters, but potentially hurt him in a general election with a national electorate that supports capital punishment.

— Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026
She was elected twice to the Gardner Edgerton School District Board of Education, leaving halfway through her second term, along with other liberal school board members, after harassment from conservative parents.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of liberal

Adjective

On Thursday, Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, who led a radical overhaul of the department's Civil Rights Division, also announced her departure.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Nov. 2026
The bar’s radical inclusiveness was part of why people cared about it—and part of what its owners were struggling to finance it.

— Tara Knight, Bon Appetit Magazine, 6 Nov. 2026