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
His designs could make women and men look garish, in their unorthodox but cheesy materials (crystal mesh, latex, S&M buckles).
—
Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Much like the film’s unorthodox costumes, Margot Robbie is taking creative liberties with her method dressing.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
Embrace your unorthodox skills!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Davis, who finished with 13 points and three 3-pointers, nailed the shot to spark a 10-0 Illinois run, and Ivišić went viral on social media for the unorthodox spike pass.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Rachel Tashjian, CNN Money, 5 Feb. 2026
Much like the film’s unorthodox costumes, Margot Robbie is taking creative liberties with her method dressing.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2026
Embrace your unorthodox skills!
—Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Feb. 2026
Davis, who finished with 13 points and three 3-pointers, nailed the shot to spark a 10-0 Illinois run, and Ivišić went viral on social media for the unorthodox spike pass.
—Colleen Kane, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox
Adjective
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Smith for some time has dangled the prospect of running as an unconventional candidate against a field of career politicians, but there’s a big gap between not ruling out a run and actually doing it.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
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Creative director Heginz Janvier transformed classic silhouettes such as trenchcoats and cargo pants into new offerings by creating them from technical fabrics and adding pockets in unconventional locations, such as above the ankles or on the waist.—
Jean E. Palmieri,
Footwear News,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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This level of coordination effectively marries ancient Chinese martial arts with modern precision engineering.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
17 Feb. 2026
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Analysts say the result could mean more stability for modern day Thailand, which has had three prime ministers in as many years and a 20-year cycle of military coups, violent street protests and paralyzing political instability.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Political interference, informal blacklists of filmmakers, and public attacks on artists have become systemic.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Feb. 2026
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Guests will encounter Alice, enjoy boutique shopping, and indulge in teas, pastries, tea sandwiches, champagne, live music, and informal modeling.—
Dawn Giangiulio,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Maybe Mark Kelly and several other dissident members of Congress are hiding the sun in a big bag.—
Alexandra Petri,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2026
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People were worn down by the waiting patterns imposed upon them by the state; in this film, the couple opts to break free through artistic expression, and mounting a new, dissident work.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Speculation, particularly among liberal commentators, has started to swirl around possible retirement plans of Justice Samuel Alito.—
Maureen Groppe,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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But most forms of higher education have seen at least a doubling of its liberal-to-conservative gap since the nineties.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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You guys had this out-there idea of a cartoon band all those years ago, and now that’s the biggest thing in the world.—
Simon Vozick-Levinson,
Rolling Stone,
16 Feb. 2026
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View gallery - 9 images One of the more out-there concepts to emerge from CMT 2026, the Wingcube is a unique style of trailerable expanding camp pod.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Jackson was hospitalized in November and later diagnosed with a degenerative condition called progressive supranuclear palsy, CBS News reported.—
Mabinty Quarshie,
The Washington Examiner,
17 Feb. 2026
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A day after the election, the National Anti-Corruption Commission found 44 progressive opposition lawmakers guilty for trying to amend lese majeste.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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As filmed by Depardon, the clashes reveal a radical disconnect between the representatives of the law and the people accused of breaking it.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
19 Feb. 2026
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And that was when his wife sat him down and delivered a radical suggestion.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
19 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unorthodox. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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