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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in modern

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Be curious, seek real-world experience early and don’t be afraid to take an unconventional path. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 Harald and Sonja, however, have always chosen to support their daughter, even when her unconventional decisions caused controversy. — Stefania Conrieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026 Still, the buyer seems pretty pleased with his unconventional choice. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 27 Aug. 2026 Since the sale of Solid Rock, the members of the church have met at unconventional places, according to Myrtle Beach's The Sun News, and rebranded as Mercy Church. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unconventional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional

Adjective

Rita Flores, a former member of the protest art collective Pussy Riot, alleged in an interview on Monday that members of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) had recruited her to spy on dissident artists.

— News Desk, Artforum, 26 Aug. 2026
Projects must be led by LGBTQ+ directors and screenwriters, or by professionals whose dissident gender identities and expressions inform their creative perspectives.

— Anna Marie de la Fuente, Variety, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of dissident

Adjective

Users reported problems with Outlook, while OpenAI said users may experience problems starting or continuing tasks in ChatGPT Work, temporarily disabling two of the modern office's favorite methods of assigning more work.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026
Drew This gender-neutral name is inspired by former Saints quarterback Drew Brees, considered one of the best signal-callers of the modern era.

— Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of modern

Adjective

Currently, informal waste pickers and scrap collectors make up a large portion of Vietnam’s collection system, so the new policy also will factor in that labor so that workers aren’t left behind.

— Jennifer Bringle, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026
Jeffries met privately with Kushner, a powerful but informal adviser to Trump, several weeks ago.

— Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 25 Aug. 2026

Definition of informal

Adjective

Strommen has an Instagram feed with tributes to Charlie Kirk, but that didn’t prevent her from working closely with Gorman, who, while technically in a nonpartisan position, is married to Mark Spreitzer, a progressive Democratic state senator.

— Dan Kaufman, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2026
On Thursday, Nixon, a progressive, said criminal charges should be a possibility, despite the grand jury not recommending them.

— Liv Caputo, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of progressive

Adjective

They’re made from a faux leather that, frankly, looks really expensive, and are available in 20 colors, including some more out-there prints.

— Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 17 Aug. 2026
Guitarist Adam Turay and trumpeter Ryan Easter both come from the jazzier side of the tracks, the former playing with Afro-R&B group the Narcotix, the latter with more out-there units like WRENS.

— Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026

Definition of out-there

Adjective

Burning Man, a weeklong event focused on radical self-expression, participation, communal effort and civic responsibility, is expected to draw approximately 70,000 people this year.

— Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 30 Aug. 2026
As a result, the hair’s length is largely preserved; this isn’t about a radical cut, but about creating texture that wasn’t there before.

— Lucy Binder, Glamour, 30 Aug. 2026