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
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Recent Examples of unconventional
The Numbers That Explain the Urgency The reason scientists are willing to try something this unconventional comes down to what Burmese pythons have already done to native wildlife.
—
Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
Turning that vision into reality required a funding model just as unconventional as the idea itself.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Its unconventional location inside the city—a couple of blocks away from the main square—is not the only impressive aspect of Cenote Zací.
—Regina Zumarraga, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
His dishes are unconventional, creative, and utterly decadent, so leave the diet at the door and prepare to indulge your inner gourmand.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Hanna Wickes, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 28 Apr. 2026
Turning that vision into reality required a funding model just as unconventional as the idea itself.
—Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 28 Apr. 2026
Its unconventional location inside the city—a couple of blocks away from the main square—is not the only impressive aspect of Cenote Zací.
—Regina Zumarraga, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
His dishes are unconventional, creative, and utterly decadent, so leave the diet at the door and prepare to indulge your inner gourmand.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
-
In August 2020 Russian dissident Alexei Navalny became seriously ill on a flight to Moscow, and tests later confirmed that he had been exposed to Novichok.—
Nick Tabor,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
29 Apr. 2026
-
Part of a wave of dissident departures, Carvajal’s defection was akin to a dam breaking, then-US Senator Marco Rubio said at the time.—
Max Saltman,
CNN Money,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Yet another secondary effect of the Iran war is the expansion of modern drone warfare to the Persian Gulf region.—
Sudarsan Raghavan,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Clinics use modern equipment and high-quality materials and keep prices affordable.—
K.H. Koehler,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The pair of town hall meetings hosted by law firms operating under the name PFAS Georgia turned out nearly 1,000 people and served as an informal campaign stop for about a dozen political candidates — a nod to the grassroots outrage over the topic.—
DYLAN JACKSON,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
-
If that window closes without agreement, an informal arbitration process commences — conducted under WGA auspices, conducted by phone, and conducted fast.—
George Heller,
HollywoodReporter,
6 May 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
This tax would reclaim profits previously acquired from Californians by imposing additional levies on corporations that benefited from state tax incentives, as well as through a progressive tax structure targeting individuals with significant wealth.—
Kaitlyn Schallhorn,
Oc Register,
4 May 2026
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Four major candidates look to unseat Karen Bass Incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces a tough reelection challenge in a field of 13 candidates, including a reality TV personality, a tech entrepreneur and two progressive candidates.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
Adjective
-
As a performer, these characters are out-there.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
-
That’s why the wake is such an out-there sequence.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The three liberal-leaning justices are not in attendance.—
Kathryn Palmer,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
-
By late October 2018, at age 25, she was being feted as the new ambassador for the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and was mere weeks away from earning a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Arizona State University (having transferred from UNC Charlotte).—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Firecracker became extremely loyal to Homelander and regurgitated his radical conservative views to the public.—
Staff Author,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
-
But there’s also a risk for cooptation, with the most radical components of the movement being sidelined either because of pragmatism (prioritizing the work that can get funded) or discomfort.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
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