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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
The two-hour play’s structure is unorthodox and the character arcs are huge, but director Charles Peters does a fine job threading everything together and keeping the performances natural.
—
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
The unorthodox choice of his 20-year-old daughter, a nun-in-training who believes her father’s work is immoral, is part of Korda’s elaborate business plan.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 11 June 2025
President Donald Trump's order to deploy 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles appears unprecedented, relying on an unorthodox use of a law aimed at quelling serious domestic unrest or an attack on the United States by a foreign power, some legal experts said Sunday.
—Justin Jouvenal, Arkansas Online, 9 June 2025
His play style is the basis of the Pacers’ unorthodox blueprint for an NBA Finals run.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2025
The unorthodox choice of his 20-year-old daughter, a nun-in-training who believes her father’s work is immoral, is part of Korda’s elaborate business plan.
—Chris O'Falt, IndieWire, 11 June 2025
President Donald Trump's order to deploy 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles appears unprecedented, relying on an unorthodox use of a law aimed at quelling serious domestic unrest or an attack on the United States by a foreign power, some legal experts said Sunday.
—Justin Jouvenal, Arkansas Online, 9 June 2025
His play style is the basis of the Pacers’ unorthodox blueprint for an NBA Finals run.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox
Adjective
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The early detection of viral RNA in wild bird droppings, sometimes preceding official poultry outbreaks, suggests that unconventional surveillance in these biologically rich but infrastructurally sparse areas could play a larger role in pandemic risk mitigation.—
John Drake,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
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Now, in the weeks after its unconventional 22nd anniversary celebration, the label is set to launch one of its biggest — and most personal — compilations yet.—
Britt Julious,
Chicago Tribune,
27 June 2025
Adjective
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The sandals had a sleek, modern and striking appearance due to their vibrant color and minimalist design.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
1 July 2025
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While Scandinavian style has been at the vanguard of modern living for over a century, Copenhagen’s 3 Days of Design festival has firmly cemented the Danish city as a design capital.—
Stephanie Sporn,
Vogue,
1 July 2025
Adjective
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Within the outcome document, the drafters champion several strategies to expand domestic tax bases, such as integrating the informal sector into the formal economy and identifying undeclared income and wealth.—
Nana Ama Sarfo,
Forbes.com,
7 July 2025
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Whether for a casual outing, an afternoon of shopping, or even an informal dinner, this combination has the power to transform a simple look into a fashion statement.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
4 July 2025
Adjective
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Other contenders abroad include the dissident group Mujahedeen e-Khalq, more commonly known as the MEK, which has gained high-profile supporters including the former New York mayor and Trump ally Rudy Giuliani.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
25 June 2025
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Tehran also accuses Iranian expatriates and dissident groups sympathetic to Israel of supporting logistics, communication, and funding.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 June 2025
Adjective
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Not surprisingly, the court’s conservative supermajority upheld the Tennessee law by a 6-3 vote, with the trio of more liberal justices dissenting.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
1 July 2025
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According to her interview, she was attacked on the Internet by 'science popularizers' who supported liberal views that led to the shutdown of Sci-Hub in Russia in 2017 for a few days.—
Boaz Sobrado,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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For now, there’s nothing quite so out-there, although deer blood is the star ingredient in the final dessert, a chocolate-ish (but cocoa-free) fondant served with hazelnut praline and malt ice cream.—
Ann Abel,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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An out-there premise, for sure, but one that has so far worked out better than anyone had a right to expect.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Mamdani, who espouses more progressive socialist-leaning views, wants to make New York City more affordable for all, paid for through more taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
1 July 2025
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Despite representing a team that finished 11th in the most recent Liga F season, Jacinto finished in the top 10 for progressive passes (third, with 238), key passes (joint eighth, with 49), passes into the final third (fifth, with 221), and passes into the penalty area (seventh, with 43).—
Michael Cox,
New York Times,
30 June 2025
Adjective
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True love for this country has become rarer today, and in fact, radical hatred has become more common.—
Linda McMahon,
The Orlando Sentinel,
6 July 2025
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Student activists and radical thinkers were desperate to reform and strengthen China.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
5 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unorthodox. Accessed 11 Jul. 2025.
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