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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of unconventional
Images Storing your $90,000 in a savings account may feel unconventional, but in today's unique economic terrain, taking an unconventional approach may be exactly what's needed.
—
Matt Richardson, CBS News, 28 May 2026
That’s pushed some Chinese dissidents toward more unconventional escape routes, instead of travelling through neighboring countries such as Vietnam or Thailand, which have a mixed record on protecting Chinese dissidents.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
According to the team, the unconventional structure enables Argus to move and stabilize efficiently across varied terrains and perform complex spatial maneuvers in multiple environments.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
After decades of unconventional and eccentric film roles, Oscar winner Nicolas Cage is ready to lead a TV show.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Matt Richardson, CBS News, 28 May 2026
That’s pushed some Chinese dissidents toward more unconventional escape routes, instead of travelling through neighboring countries such as Vietnam or Thailand, which have a mixed record on protecting Chinese dissidents.
—Yoonjung Seo, CNN Money, 27 May 2026
According to the team, the unconventional structure enables Argus to move and stabilize efficiently across varied terrains and perform complex spatial maneuvers in multiple environments.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 27 May 2026
After decades of unconventional and eccentric film roles, Oscar winner Nicolas Cage is ready to lead a TV show.
—Olivia Singh, Forbes.com, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
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Together, they were recently elected to a Miami support committee for the Concilio Cubano dissident group in Cuba.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
20 May 2026
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And major Russian language book fairs, focused on dissident literature, are becoming more common across Europe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Walk through a gallery of bronze busts immortalizing the game's greatest players and learn about the evolution of the game from the days of leather helmets to modern gear.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
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That's far lower than the traditional 90-day window, and significantly lower than the more modern 45-day barrier.—
Ian Miller OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
10 June 2026
Adjective
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The largely informal opposition had consisted mainly of local cities that warned another sales tax would disproportionately burden the poorest residents and force shoppers across the county border in hopes of finding lower costs.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
10 June 2026
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An informal settlement is a residential area where housing units have been constructed without official rights to the land.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
10 June 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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This inequality demonstrates a particular kind of economic and political harm that targets racially diverse and politically progressive young people.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
9 June 2026
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In her campaign to be LA’s next mayor, Raman launched a progressive, left-wing bid to oust Bass from within the Democratic Party.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2026
Adjective
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Inevitably, this information vacuum has encouraged some pretty out-there speculation.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
9 June 2026
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Interview With the Vampire was already one of the most balls-to-the-wall, out-there shows on TV, and The Vampire Lestat requires full attention and both sides of your brain to reap the most pleasure.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
7 June 2026
Adjective
-
Both accused each other of being secretly liberal or not MAGA enough.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
10 June 2026
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The Supreme Court allowed the firing to go through on a temporary basis, over staunch dissents from the court's three liberal justices.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
9 June 2026
Adjective
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One of the show’s most radical changes from Broadway is switching the genders of a few characters from male to female.—
Devon Ivie,
Vulture,
4 June 2026
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Byrne and Chace will play brothers amongst a group of men seeking to rediscover their purpose at the radical Reclaim Retreat that promises the transformation of the modern man.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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