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
Kanopy has gained attention in entertainment circles with its unorthodox model.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
The friend had linked to an article highlighting an unorthodox plea from the president of an HBCU on the opposite end of the Charlotte metro area.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
Viewing collectibles as an alternative asset is not new, even if unorthodox.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Luckily for me, the Brentwood class wasn’t too packed, so there weren’t too many fellow exercisers there to gawk at my unorthodox choice of attire.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Mar. 2026
The friend had linked to an article highlighting an unorthodox plea from the president of an HBCU on the opposite end of the Charlotte metro area.
—Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2026
Viewing collectibles as an alternative asset is not new, even if unorthodox.
—Davis Giangiulio, CNBC, 25 Feb. 2026
Luckily for me, the Brentwood class wasn’t too packed, so there weren’t too many fellow exercisers there to gawk at my unorthodox choice of attire.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 24 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox
Adjective
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Whirlpool electric ranges pros Instead of a huge stable of super-fancy ranges with novel and unconventional features, much of Whirlpool’s range is somewhat straightforward.—
BestReviews,
Mercury News,
6 Mar. 2026
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With unconventional methods such as these, there is a chance of catching defenders cold before coaches and analysts adopt ways of dealing with it.—
Patrick Boyland,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Opened in 2025, the modern Persian cafe serves barbari bread and lavash wrap sandwiches, tahini-date shakes and chai lattes, plus a full slate of events aimed at uplifting the local Persian community.—
Angela Osorio,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Mar. 2026
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Renovations will include replacing the substation’s infrastructure with more modern equipment, which Miller said would be quieter.—
Emily Holshouser,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The massive spread includes several formal and informal gathering spaces, with the gleaming chef’s kitchen serving as the heart of the home.—
Tori Latham,
Robb Report,
4 Mar. 2026
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National Snack Day was established in 2016 by Jace Shoemaker-Galloway, who has invented more than two-dozen informal holidays, Days of the Year said.—
Don Sweeney,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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After the Islamic Revolution in 1979, Ali Khamenei moved from a dissident cleric to a senior government official, holding key posts in the regime including deputy defense minister.—
Emma Bussey,
FOXNews.com,
8 Mar. 2026
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On Thursday, Turkey voiced opposition to Iranian Kurdish dissident groups’ possible involvement in the conflict in Iran, warning of greater instability in the region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
5 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Singer said some doctors in his home state of Arizona are looking to more liberal California for vaccine recommendations.—
Angela Hart,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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The cozy liberal-arts-college vibe is very on point here.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The planet is the setting for an unlikely mix of sci-fi, magic, and fantasy, populated by a bizarre assortment of characters whose origins were usually determined by the out-there whims of toymakers — there really is no other way to explain Snout Spout.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
3 Mar. 2026
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While casual fans of Bessette-Kennedy’s style might imagine her wardrobe as simple above all else, the fashion insider had a taste for the out-there stuff, too.—
Jake Henry Smith,
Glamour,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Fracturing of conservative communities leads a veteran Republican to retire and could help some incumbent Democrats fend off progressive challengers.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Mar. 2026
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The results represent a victory for the ruling Historic Pact, which has campaigned on promising to continue Petro’s program of progressive economic reforms.—
Alfie Pannell,
Miami Herald,
9 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His career spanned more than five decades, from playing in big bands in the late 1930s to radical explorations in free jazz and electronic music from the ’60s through the ’80s.—
Lisa Wong Macabasco,
Vogue,
5 Mar. 2026
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Then-technical director Edu had overseen a radical overhaul of the recruitment department in 2020, with several redundancies leading to the formation of a smaller, leaner team.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unorthodox. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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