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 The 22-year-old Brazilian midfielder has had an unconventional time in English football, including making 43 appearances for Chelsea across the 2025-26 campaign under three different head coaches. — Carl Anka, New York Times, 10 July 2026 The unconventional gift from the host of this week's NATO summit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was meant to showcase his country's growing defense industry. — ABC News, 10 July 2026 When your kitchen has an unconventional layout—or an infamously compact New York City footprint—finding the right-size rug can feel nearly impossible. — Vy Yang, Architectural Digest, 9 July 2026 Now, the main trio behind the film will reunite to retell another unconventional, erotic romance. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unconventional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional

Adjective

Three men were acquitted of murder Friday in the 2019 killing of Belfast journalist Lyra McKee, who was shot by a member of a dissident Irish Republican Army splinter group while covering a riot in Northern Ireland.

— ABC News, ABC News, 3 July 2026
Five long-standing Iranian dissident groups, including PJAK, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Freedom Party, had formed an alliance, Reuters also reported.

— Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2026

Definition of dissident

Adjective

While newer schools featured modern amenities, Windsor Middle had largely remained unchanged.

— Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 14 July 2026
The old supermarket-style, functional interiors are gone, and in their place are sleek architectural details, a scattering of midcentury modern furniture and colorful LED screens broadcasting the M&S seasonal campaigns.

— Samantha Conti, Footwear News, 13 July 2026

Definition of modern

Adjective

But the series also goes behind the scenes to explore how an informal gathering grew into a big-budget, heavily regulated event.

— Stuart Miller, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026
The alliance grew out of an informal coalition that included organizations tied to Ananas Anam, Bananatex and Regenerate Fashion.

— Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 7 July 2026

Definition of informal

Adjective

Board member Renee Paschall cast the lone dissenting vote on the final package.

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

Definition of dissenting

Adjective

In the Green New Deal discussion, though, this hypothetical meat ban effectively functioned as metaphorical shortcut for progressive political overreach.

— David Rooney, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
By the early 1990s, Eugene had earned itself a reputation as a beacon of progressive-minded irreverence, drawing a pungent mix of weirdos, iconoclasts, and freethinkers.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026

Definition of progressive

Adjective

The classic straight-leg silhouette is relaxed throughout, providing ease and movement to the style, balancing the more out-there design details.

— Irene Richardson, InStyle, 28 June 2026
The ballerina sneaker trend is just the latest in a line of kooky shoe creations that range from wearable to wildly out-there.

— Aemilia Madden, Glamour, 18 June 2026

Definition of out-there

Adjective

But Democratic leaders fear that the insurgent candidates risk blowing winnable races for Democrats with messages considered too radical for most voters.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 July 2026
The lightweight formula is 95% naturally derived, blending vitamin E with antioxidant-rich apricot for hydration and free-radical protection.

— Deanna Pai, Vogue, 10 July 2026