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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in modern
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs
had unconventional opinions on the raising of children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in informal
not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules
young, creative people who lead unconventional but fulfilling lifestyles
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Entrepreneurship Through Acquisition Goes Mainstream What was once considered an unconventional career path is becoming increasingly mainstream.
—
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
The interiors complement the unconventional, holistic wellness ethos the team puts forward.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 June 2026
Aquarius may care deeply but express affection in ways that feel distant or unconventional to Cancer, who needs equal amounts of physical touch and words of affirmation to be reassured.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
24 June 2026
For traditional art institutions, dedicating gallery space to sports photography is an unconventional.
—
La'tasha Givens,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Melissa Houston,
Forbes.com,
25 June 2026
The interiors complement the unconventional, holistic wellness ethos the team puts forward.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
24 June 2026
Aquarius may care deeply but express affection in ways that feel distant or unconventional to Cancer, who needs equal amounts of physical touch and words of affirmation to be reassured.
—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
24 June 2026
For traditional art institutions, dedicating gallery space to sports photography is an unconventional.
—
La'tasha Givens,
CBS News,
24 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
-
But cartels and dissident groups still control pockets of the country, cocaine exports are at an all-time high and Colombia remains one of the world's most economically unequal countries.
-
The group is a dissident faction of the defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC.
Adjective
-
The finish is what sells it, and the modern methods aim to look like hair that’s always been there.
-
Executive Travel And Leadership The modern executive is, functionally, a professional time-zone crosser.
Adjective
-
Here the enduring wisdom of Indian spiritual philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti, Ojai’s informal patron saint, serves even to hold a recent incursion of ultra-rich to account.
-
These employee-to-owner pipelines and apprenticeship-to-owner transitions marked informal forms of employee ownership.
Adjective
-
Board member Renee Paschall cast the lone dissenting vote on the final package.
-
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.
Adjective
-
His endorsements are for progressive candidates challenging incumbent Democrats.
-
In a crowded field, voters will pick among four candidates who are all different flavors of Democrat, ranging from moderate to much more progressive and aligned with the Democratic Socialists of America.
Adjective
-
The ballerina sneaker trend is just the latest in a line of kooky shoe creations that range from wearable to wildly out-there.
-
This is also by far the coolest crowd at the festival, a sea of designer outfits, out-there silhouettes, fresh haircuts, and even bouquets of flowers.
Adjective
-
But the court ruled in February that Republican counter plans violated a Utah referendum prohibiting gerrymandering, solidifying the single district centered on the increasingly liberal Salt Lake City.
-
The high court divided 6 to 3 along ideological lines in ruling against Damon Landor, with the three liberal justices in dissent.
Adjective
-
Conceived as an exercise in radical reduction, the movement reflects a design philosophy that privileges essential structure over accumulation.
-
With just seven days to go until their July 2 deadline, proponents of Oregon’s PEACE Act are rushing to gather enough signatures to ensure that the radical hunting and fishing ban makes the ballot.
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 30 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
