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
So when opening day arrived, even Kellner, the uber-intense, unorthodox budding star, had to allow himself a moment to take it all in.
—
Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
As a result, some agencies, such as the Department of Energy, began applying unorthodox practices, including closing out pending requests.
—David Cuillier, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
My story would also require a love interest, however unorthodox.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Against a backdrop of worries that more tricky issues requiring creative and unorthodox solutions are likely coming down the road, Laporta was seen as the best bet to defend the club’s interests and independence over the next five years.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Tony Catalina, Austin American Statesman, 20 Mar. 2026
As a result, some agencies, such as the Department of Energy, began applying unorthodox practices, including closing out pending requests.
—David Cuillier, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2026
My story would also require a love interest, however unorthodox.
—Literary Hub, 16 Mar. 2026
Against a backdrop of worries that more tricky issues requiring creative and unorthodox solutions are likely coming down the road, Laporta was seen as the best bet to defend the club’s interests and independence over the next five years.
—Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox
Adjective
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As part of this singularly unconventional deal, CBS pays not a red cent for the privilege of covering the tourney, and while that leaves as much as $125 million in rights fees on the table, Augusta more than makes up for that by way of the gate, merch and concessions.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
10 Apr. 2026
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If that weren’t unconventional enough, each performance is scheduled to begin at 11pm.—
Charles Lewis III,
Mercury News,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Chernyshov is a big, strong (6-foot-3, about 200 pounds) winger and modern power-forward type where driving is a part of his identity, but not to a bullish fault as his only focus, and his skill/finesse might take on greater emphasis.—
Scott Wheeler,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
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Each room is decorated with antiques and architectural salvage that’s been collected over the years, adding a little personality to the modern space.—
Heidi Finley,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The emerging cooperation has opened the door for American companies to explore opportunities in Venezuela’s mineral-rich south, even as governance on the ground remains dominated by armed groups and informal networks.—
Antonio María Delgado,
Miami Herald,
9 Apr. 2026
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Residents have cleared public rainforest, creating informal plots and erecting makeshift homes.—
Gabriela Sá Pessoa,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Diplomacy with the West In 2003, after a dissident group exposed Iran’s clandestine nuclear activities in 2002 and Iran began facing intensifying international pressure, Araghchi was appointed director of the first department of western Europe in Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.—
Britannica Editors,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Another conservative justice retiring next year could yield a 6-1 liberal supermajority, reshaping Wisconsin policy on voting rights, unions, and worker protections.—
Scott Bauer,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Apr. 2026
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Wisconsinites will vote for a new state Supreme Court justice on Tuesday in a race that could maintain or widen the court's liberal majority for years.—
Gaby Vinick,
ABC News,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The show was always an out-there concept, even for HBO.—
Cynthia Littleton,
Variety,
24 Mar. 2026
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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
Adjective
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Meanwhile, the oil industry blames California's progressive policies for driving them out.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
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Sunshine died March 15 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, after a battle with progressive supranuclear palsy, a family spokesperson announced.—
Mike Barnes,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Showing an new indie film in theaters rather than taking the more common route of going directly to a streaming service or video on demand or even the regional film festival circuit is a rather radical move these days.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
9 Apr. 2026
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The crowd at an event for James Fishback, a Florida gubernatorial candidate, who, like many other young conservatives, considers MAGA insufficiently radical.—
Ian Crouch,
New Yorker,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unorthodox. Accessed 11 Apr. 2026.
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