unorthodox

adjective

ˌən-ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks How to pronounce unorthodox (audio)
Definition of unorthodoxnext
1
as in unconventional
deviating from commonly accepted beliefs or practices a time when people with unorthodox religious views were banished from the colony

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2
as in modern
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs raised by an aunt, whose unorthodox parenting practices made for a strange but fun childhood

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3
as in informal
not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules an unorthodox but effective procedure for opening a wine bottle without a corkscrew

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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 unorthodox Bridgers capped off the unorthodox rollout by hosting worldwide release-week listening parties at planetariums. — Christine Werthman, Billboard, 5 Oct. 2026 Belichick and Deion Sanders were two unorthodox hires, given the keys to Power 4 programs despite zero FBS coaching experience in part because of their name recognition. — David Ubben, New York Times, 4 Oct. 2026 But, to be fair, there were indeed some unkind comments online and none of those are apparent when other performers take unorthodox approaches to the national anthem, such as performing it with bagpipes. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 29 Sep. 2026 And what if, having been shown the error of their ways, the unorthodox individuals refused to change? — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox
  1. unconventional
  2. modern
  3. informal
  4. dissident
  5. liberal
  6. out-there
  7. progressive
  8. radical
Adjective
  • The food-beauty collaboration pipeline is gaining an unconventional contender.
    — Noor Lobad, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
  • The most unconventional of the trio is the jamón y queso, built with ribbons of jamón serrano.
    — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of unconventional
Adjective
  • Perfect Road, a documentary from Danish directors and cousins Adam and Christian Bonke, follows him on an extreme journey through some of Europe’s highest mountain passes, while also providing a meditation on modern life and character study.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Although driver engagement has long been central to the 911 experience, the realities of modern automotive development are making manual transmissions a rare commodity.
    — Bradley Iger, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of modern
Adjective
  • Filmmaker Ava DuVernay chose Milton Rogovin’s informal, untitled portrait of a beautiful young Buffalo woman from his East Side, 1961-63 collection.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Second, the agency can issue formal or informal warning letters threatening consequences if a violation is not remedied.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026
Definition of informal
Adjective
  • The head of the United Kingdom’s MI5 spy agency said Iran is trying to strike military sites in Britain, going beyond the traditional targets of dissident Iranians.
    — Jared Gans, The Hill, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The regime transmuted its coercive force into political legitimacy through the spectacular destruction of dissident bodies, restoring reverence for the Eagle.
    — Abdelrahman ElGendy, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of dissident
Adjective
  • Because the right is viewed as divisive by liberal corporations, and the left is viewed as empathetic common sense.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
  • This process is evident in Egypt and Turkey, where declining mosque attendance has accompanied the growing appeal of liberal values, particularly secularism.
    — Mansoor Moaddel, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of liberal
Adjective
  • None of it feels remotely tied to the zeitgeist, instead showing an artist galvanized by their own out-there proclivities and exhilarated by the limitations of whatever ramshackle gear might be lying around a home studio.
    — Dash Lewis, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
  • For music this uncompromising and out-there, the process is just as, if not more, important as the result.
    — Reed Jackson, SPIN, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of out-there
Adjective
  • The idea that criminals could serve sentences behind bars was a more progressive approach to justice in comparison.
    — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Vang, 41, is one of several younger and progressive challengers seeking to oust longtime incumbents across the country.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of progressive
Adjective
  • There are decisions like that which might seem quite radical but can take the show somewhere different.
    — Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
  • Banned from campus, the radical academic now faces federal charges.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of radical

Browse Nearby Words

unornamented
unorthodox
unorthodoxy
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Cite this Entry

“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unorthodox. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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