UNORTHODOX Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

unorthodox

adjective

ˌən-ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks

Definition of unorthodox

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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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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 unorthodox The property’s unorthodox form also proved to be useful during the NBA Finals in June, when a pizzeria projected games onto the side of the building. — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 27 Aug. 2026 The unorthodox generator engine, which powered all types of workhorse vehicles between 1959 and 1991, sits neatly inside its wheeled cart. — Caleb Jacobs, The Drive, 19 Aug. 2026 In a statement, the district attorney’s office didn’t rule out the unorthodox move and called on more witnesses in the case to come forward. — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026 The unorthodox approach raises questions for the Reeder family about police’s investigative strategy. — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unorthodox

Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox

Adjective

Screening the electron interactions weakened and ultimately eliminated superconductivity, supporting an unconventional mechanism for electron pairing.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026
Inspired by the unconventional materials and craftsmanship of studio jewelry, the couple fell in love with art jewelry as collectible material culture.

— Livia Caligor, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of unconventional

Adjective

That calculation can reveal a sizable amount of informal self-insurance that never received the same planning, funding or governance as other financial obligations.

— Randy Sadler, Forbes.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Around 400 former students and leading industry professionals made the trek from Paris for a day of conferences and informal gatherings.

— Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of informal

Adjective

In addition to sharing that expertise with Mexican cartels, the use of drones in Colombia has also become commonplace among FARC dissident groups.

— Sol Amaya, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026
The film, which runs at a staggering 165 minutes, took dissident director Khrzhanovsky two decades to make.

— Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of dissident

Adjective

As November approaches, a liberal alternative to AIPAC in pro-Israel advocacy is ratcheting up its efforts to counter that influence.

— Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 10 Sep. 2026
Other, more liberal candidates, have positioned themselves as willing to stand up and hold Kennedy accountable.

— Chelsea Cirruzzo, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of liberal

Adjective

Smith is having a banner year, with a solo show at Graham and a survey at MASS MoCA, plus an exhibition at Waldo, Tobias Czudej’s seasonal space in an out-there part of Maine.

— Nate Freeman, Vanity Fair, 11 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of out-there

Adjective

When a Black professor suggests that the protesting students are infringing on their classmates’ right to use shared areas, her white counterparts shake their heads in disgust for her refusal to capitulate to progressive groupthink.

— Todd Gilchrist, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
The inherent challenge in making films dealing with progressive illness is not succumbing to an inescapably formulaic structure that can’t help but go with the territory.

— Michael Rechtshaffen, HollywoodReporter, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of progressive

Adjective

Although his party is known for its pro-Russian and anti-immigration positions and other radical stances, Siegmund has avoided making extreme statements and presents himself as a man of the people.

— Geir Moulson, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2026
Cho herself prepared by consulting the late master of the form, Frederick Wiseman, who was unabashed about the tension between documentary filmaking’s often radical politics and the privilege required to turn it into a profession.

— Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of radical

Browse Nearby Words

unornamented

unorthodox

unorthodoxy

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“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unorthodox. Accessed 18 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of unorthodox

adjective

Example Sentences

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