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
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
-
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
-
And major Russian language book fairs, focused on dissident literature, are becoming more common across Europe.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
As with the rest of the hotel, rooms and suites blend extreme comfort and modern convenience with antique beauty, atmosphere and brilliant art.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
3 June 2026
-
Heritage varieties act as a genetic backup library, offering traits that modern breeding programs may need to draw on later.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
Closer to the beach, Pla Pla is a breezy, more informal space for burgers, pizzas, and a handful of Thai favorites in the daytime or steaks and seafood in the evening.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
4 June 2026
-
In the previous two years, sporting directors have made informal approaches to outline the conditions of a potential deal.—
Mario Cortegana,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
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
Adjective
-
Soon, this recognition stretched to include representational painting by younger Black artists, as museums, galleries, and collectors still more clearly signaled their progressive intent.—
Katy Siegel,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
-
Still, Cepeda and Petro have maintained strong support among many Colombians because of progressive policies advanced under Petro, such as boosting the minimum wage.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
Adjective
-
As a symbol of national ingenuity and know-how, the frosty specimen is kind of out-there.—
Sheri Linden,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
-
As a performer, these characters are out-there.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote a dissent that was joined by her fellow liberal justices, Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
His candidacy has drawn national attention as a barometer for dissatisfaction with liberal urban governance and because of viral videos that supporters created with artificial intelligence.—
MIchael R. Blood,
Fortune,
2 June 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
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 8 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
