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
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Recent Examples of unorthodox
As the book shows, these unorthodox methods drew both publicity and criticism.
—
Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
Paul won his first fight against fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gib, in a performance that showed some sort of promise, albeit against an opponent who was unorthodox at best.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
Close also blazed a trail in the mid-aughts by taking major roles on series like The Shield (2005) and Damages (2007–2012), which was unorthodox for A-list film stars at the time.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
This inexperienced crew of 20-somethings takes on unorthodox jobs to build their brand and pay rent.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025
Paul won his first fight against fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gib, in a performance that showed some sort of promise, albeit against an opponent who was unorthodox at best.
—Ben Church, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
Close also blazed a trail in the mid-aughts by taking major roles on series like The Shield (2005) and Damages (2007–2012), which was unorthodox for A-list film stars at the time.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Dec. 2025
This inexperienced crew of 20-somethings takes on unorthodox jobs to build their brand and pay rent.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 10 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox
Adjective
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Its modular architecture allows custom sizes, voltages, and geometries, enabling unconventional uses such as structural integration into vehicle frames, drones, or chassis designs.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Jan. 2026
-
In the series, Winkler would play Howard Greenberg, a hard-driving and unconventional criminal defense attorney who is a fierce advocate for his underdog clients.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Their relaxed drape feels modern and unfussy, striking the right balance between polish and comfort.—
Gabrielle Porcaro,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Jan. 2026
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According to Makaym Dybenko, the system balances customization with military-standard compatibility, positioning DroneHunter Varta as a flexible counter-drone solution for modern combat environments.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
10 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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During the 2020 cycle, disinformation targeting Black voters has been spreading through informal channels on social media, according to a report by NBC News.—
David Smiley,
Miami Herald,
7 Nov. 2025
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The informal meeting represents the first layer in the appeals process the district is entitled to avail itself of, Lecholop said.—
Silas Allen,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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After hundreds of thousands of opposition protesters took to the streets in April 2002, Chavez was briefly ousted in a coup by dissident military officers and opposition figures, who installed a new president, businessman Pedro Carmona.—
James Trapani,
Fortune,
6 Jan. 2026
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The National Liberation Army, or ELN, and FARC dissident groups operate in multiple states along the Venezuela-Colombia border.—
Rebecca Hanson,
The Conversation,
6 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But Jennings' liberal attitude toward the airing of his opinions, regardless of their content, almost cost him the job.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
9 Jan. 2026
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But in years since, the district has grown more liberal.—
Seema Mehta,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Greene wasn’t in office long before most Democrats and a handful of Republicans voted to bar her from House committees over old social media posts surfaced that included violent rhetoric and out-there conspiracies.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
21 Nov. 2025
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That group — which also included voices from prominent genre brands like Vinegar Syndrome, Fangoria, MPI Media, Alter, and more — toasted not just the scariest cinema but the most out-there media of all kinds.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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One proposal gaining support at least among progressive members is a payroll tax, loosely modeled after a Massachusetts measure, targeting companies that do not offer employees health insurance.—
Nicole Nixon,
Sacbee.com,
8 Jan. 2026
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It was later discovered Williams had Lewy body dementia, the second-most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's disease.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Somehow, in honoring the group’s women, from the rageful housewife Margie (Betsy Aidem) to the radical author Celeste (Kristolyn Lloyd), Flood’s outpouring becomes a lament.—
Hilton Als,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
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Her work has been featured in retreats, leadership circles, and coaching programs, where she is celebrated for her emotional depth and ability to catalyze radical transformation.—
Maria Williams,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unorthodox. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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