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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Recent Examples of unorthodox
But the unorthodox feature, which the Austrian company has previously used on gravel and mountain models, does serve more of a purpose than simply looking good.
—
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
The unorthodox program has ultimately been a success.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Trump’s unorthodox approach to the war in Ukraine has added a twist to the relationship but doesn’t appear to have fundamentally changed it.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
The decision by the federal prosecutors to visit the renovation site is highly unorthodox.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 16 Apr. 2026
The unorthodox program has ultimately been a success.
—Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 16 Apr. 2026
Trump’s unorthodox approach to the war in Ukraine has added a twist to the relationship but doesn’t appear to have fundamentally changed it.
—ABC News, 15 Apr. 2026
The decision by the federal prosecutors to visit the renovation site is highly unorthodox.
—Sarah N. Lynch, CBS News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox
Adjective
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That’s the impact Figueroa and Messmann hope to have with the boxing club and other unconventional programs at ATLAS.—
Hannah Keyser,
CNN Money,
17 Apr. 2026
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The Cubs will need more performances like Thielbar’s over the next week or so from potentially unconventional options in key moments because of injuries that have challenged the bullpen’s depth.—
Meghan Montemurro,
Chicago Tribune,
15 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Velvet banquette couches and mid-century modern furniture punctuate roomy seating areas throughout the hotel, along with two main restaurant venues, an elegant cocktail bar, and a cozy coffee shop.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Thematic ambition, a sense of the something to be expressed beyond a central romance, rivalry, or farce, propels modern musical hits too, as in Hairspray, or Wicked, or (no duh) Hamilton.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
In South Africa the Singita Lowveld Trust and AndBeyond’s Wild Impact teamed up to launch the Hustle Economy, a program that identifies and mentors community members with micro-enterprises such as spaza shops, hair-care services, jewelry retail, and informal eateries.—
Jen Murphy,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Apr. 2026
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In an email, Roberts said Foster played no formal or informal role in linking him to the player.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Guerrilla groups such as Colombia’s National Liberation Army (ELN), dissident FARC factions and Venezuelan criminal organizations operate across mining zones, frequently imposing taxes on miners and controlling pits through violence.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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There's the dissident intelligence officer Helmuth von Moltke, a conservative who seeks to work from inside against the Nazis (he gets hanged for his trouble).—
John Powers,
NPR,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The liberal media, members of the woke mob, and plenty within the Cubs’ fanbase took exception to the then-rookie missing one regular-season game a year ago to honor his late friend, days after he was brutally murdered in front of the entire world.—
Mark Harris OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Many told me the liberal media had smeared them as racists, xenophobes and misogynists.—
Nataliya Gumenyuk,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s why the wake is such an out-there sequence.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Apr. 2026
-
But there were plenty of out-there, single-use apps, like one that dropped motorcycles from the ceiling.—
Zackery Cuevas,
PC Magazine,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Her announcement touched off a new round of progressive candidates backing away from the Iron Dome.—
Andrew Lapin,
Sun Sentinel,
20 Apr. 2026
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Wagner is among a bevy of hosts from progressive outlet Crooked Media who can be seen on MS NOW every Saturday night at 9 in clips from the collective’s sundry podcasts.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The land bridge—which is expected to cost 1 trillion Thai baht ($31 billion)—is a less radical version of a plan floated by some Thai administrations to build a canal across the Kra Isthmus, the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsula.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
23 Apr. 2026
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In a position such as lieutenant governor, where much of the office’s duties involve being only one of multi-member boards, radical positions tend to be largely drowned out by the majority, rendering the office even less effective.—
Rafael Perez,
Oc Register,
23 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unorthodox. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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