unorthodox

adjective

ˌən-ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks How to pronounce unorthodox (audio)
Definition of unorthodoxnext
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

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 All the grumbling about its powertrain and unorthodox styling didn’t stop it from selling out. — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 1 Aug. 2026 Covering areas that are usually home to another sport isn’t easy, either, as was shown by the patches of darker grass that again lent the pitch an unorthodox feel. — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 30 July 2026 But this isn't the first electronic music fest to introduce fine dining in an unorthodox setting. — Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 Convinced the program is failing to teach the girls any real-life skills, Tatum throws out the rulebook and launches her own unorthodox agenda to prepare them for adulthood. — Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 17 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox
  1. unconventional
  2. modern
  3. informal
  4. dissident
  5. liberal
  6. out-there
  7. progressive
  8. radical
Adjective
  • Despite the unconventional nature, both Ray J and Brown likely walked away with significant earnings from the Zeus Promotions event.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • After using unconventional tactics, such as water-dropping helicopters, LAFD crews knocked down the fire and returned the property to Lineage for cleanup.
    — Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of unconventional
Adjective
  • There’s a keen juxtaposition of the old and the modern throughout this part of Edinburgh, where buildings made of ancient volcanic sandstone accommodate hip boutiques like record store Underground Solu'shn and coffee shops like The Milkman.
    — Paul Jebara, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Okuyama emphasizes a focus on lightweight construction and a direct human connection, using traditional craftsmanship alongside modern tech.
    — Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of modern
Adjective
  • The informal miners go into the mines to look for leftover deposits to sell.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Lionsgate, home to Rambo, The Hunger Games, and John Wick, has been fielding informal interest for some time, Semafor reported earlier this year, as activists eye the potential takeover target.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of informal
Adjective
  • The operation, conducted by the army and the Colombian Aerospace Force in the municipality of Mapiripán, also killed three other members of the dissident group, De la Espriella said Sunday.
    — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 10 Aug. 2026
  • On July 19, Cuban artist and dissident Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara arrived in Miami after a period when his whereabouts remained unknown following his release from Guanajay Prison.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 21 July 2026
Definition of dissident
Adjective
  • Tottenham Hotspur starting the transfer window as the Premier League’s most liberal and audacious spenders feels like a long time ago.
    — Elias Burke, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Just this week, Russia’s supreme court blocked Yabloko, the only remaining liberal, anti-war party on the ballot for parliamentary elections, from running.
    — Clare Sebastian, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of liberal
Adjective
  • Guitarist Adam Turay and trumpeter Ryan Easter both come from the jazzier side of the tracks, the former playing with Afro-R&B group the Narcotix, the latter with more out-there units like WRENS.
    — Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026
  • The classic straight-leg silhouette is relaxed throughout, providing ease and movement to the style, balancing the more out-there design details.
    — Irene Richardson, InStyle, 28 June 2026
Definition of out-there
Adjective
  • His distribution was decent, too, completing eight progressive passes per game, placing him 11th among that same group.
    — Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Nina Smith, a former Buttigieg adviser who now works closely with progressive causes, disagreed.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of progressive
Adjective
  • The Khmer Rouge group that ruled Cambodia from 1975 to 1979 was accused of genocide for causing the deaths of so many countrymen from executions, starvation and lack of medical care due to its radical policies.
    — Sopheng Cheang, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Legalization makes that imagery easy to flatten, but Frankie lighting a joint in that guy’s driveway still feels like a radical act.
    — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of radical

Browse Nearby Words

unornamented
unorthodox
unorthodoxy
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Cite this Entry

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

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Nglish: Translation of unorthodox for Spanish Speakers

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