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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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 McWilliams shared his unconventional path to playing SEC football below. — Jack Leo, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026 However, after Pleasure Beach Resort shared photos of the engagement moment on Facebook, some people started leaving negative comments due to the unconventional location of the couple’s proposal. — Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 20 Sep. 2026 While attending Milan Fashion Week in 2023, Valentina rocked the unconventional corpcore combo of a silky blue button-down and a sleek black midi skirt. — Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 18 Sep. 2026 Last year for my birthday, two of my closest friends gifted me this beautiful Bellocchi casserole, which worked great alongside the yellows and greens of the sunflowers as an unconventional but perfect salad bowl. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unconventional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional

Adjective

Andrei Pivovarov, a dissident and former head of the Open Russia group, addressed a protest gathered outside the building.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Sep. 2026
That is often problematic for films directed by dissident filmmakers.

— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of dissident

Adjective

What may have surprised even modern sports fans, however, was Ole Miss' suing two of its former players who followed former Rebels coach Lane Kiffin to his new position as head football coach at LSU.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 19 Sep. 2026
In the heart of East Nashville, this two-bedroom home is perfect for families and those looking for a long-term stay topped with modern appliances and laundry.

— Sara Sturek, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of modern

Adjective

Despite its informal format, the encounter carries considerable symbolic significance after decades of strained relations between Washington and Caracas.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026
College football kickers have started communicating with each other through informal group chats and social media to negotiate contracts, according to a report from the Wall Street Journal.

— Joshua Hong, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of informal

Adjective

The Fed’s interest rate-setting committee is divided and saw the most dissenting votes in more than three decades last month.

— Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 13 May 2026
Board member Renee Paschall cast the lone dissenting vote on the final package.

— Elizabeth Sander, San Antonio Express-News, 19 Aug. 2022

Definition of dissenting

Adjective

Instead of calling for calm and letting the justice system work, too many political leaders on the left and progressive social influencers either fanned the flames of unrest or failed to act until enormous damage was done.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026
Attempt techniques like progressive muscle relaxation and body scans, box breathing, or even picturing your thoughts as clouds that are drifting away.

— Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of progressive

Adjective

The channel has become a centerpiece of SiriusXM’s talk strategy, which includes conservative talk through the Patriot Channel, liberal talk through the Progress Channel.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 24 Sep. 2026
The liberal Yabloko party, the only registered political entity that dared to publicly criticize the war, was removed from the ballot last month by Russia’s Supreme Court, and only had a few dozen candidates in the single-seat races.

— ABC News, ABC News, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of liberal

Adjective

Niacinamide soothes and evens tone, while rice bran extract conditions skin and helps defend against free-radical damage.

— Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 18 Sep. 2026
Medical advances and especially vaccination — a radical concept, once — have nearly eliminated childhood diseases that killed up to half of children before age 5 when the nation was founded.

— Jonathan Fahey, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2026