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 The Royals finish their unorthodox homestand, which was affected by the World Cup, with a rare Monday day game, then hit the road for a series in Baltimore and then New York. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 6 July 2026 But McClintock—secular, skeptical, profoundly unorthodox—wasn’t seeking the holy. — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 4 July 2026 The unorthodox midterm convention comes as Democrats continue to poll stronger than Republicans ahead of November's critical elections. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 1 July 2026 The San Francisco startup SPAN is taking an even more unorthodox approach by installing data center servers at suburban homes—a proposal that incorporates residential batteries and possibly solar panels for backup power. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 1 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
  • Built to supply water to the surrounding area, the structure was transformed into a private residence in the early 1980s by local architect Doug Rucker who embraced its unconventional shape rather than alter it.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 18 July 2026
  • The development is a significant step toward expanding future nuclear fuel supply through unconventional uranium resources.
    — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 18 July 2026
Definition of unconventional
Adjective
  • The modern version of Newcastle United would not exist without Kevin Keegan.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 21 July 2026
  • Tristan Tate has built a following by creating and promoting a similar take on modern masculinity.
    — Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
Definition of modern
Adjective
  • But in recent years, the informal community has become more active — and, at times, more divisive.
    — William Melhado, Sacbee.com, 21 July 2026
  • What if every leader was expected to create transparent pathways for growth instead of relying on informal networks and chance opportunities?
    — Shelley Zalis, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
Definition of informal
Adjective
  • 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
  • The dissident Bull Moose Party nominated former President Teddy Roosevelt for president after Republicans declined to do so.
    — USA Today, USA Today, 21 July 2026
Definition of dissident
Adjective
  • Kelaidis reads their popularity as evidence that historical scholarship has become a kind of liberal jeremiad, offering moral reassurance through historical analogy.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 July 2026
  • The voters filed the lawsuit in Dane County Circuit Court, located in Wisconsin's liberal capital city of Madison.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 23 July 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
  • Jackson has supported progressive positions such as Medicare for All.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 25 July 2026
  • His keenness and ability to be progressive in his passing means Bamba has the potential to be more than merely a midfield ‘destroyer’.
    — Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 24 July 2026
Definition of progressive
Adjective
  • Simultaneously rendering the past less remote while relishing its radical foreignness, Beard presses readers to grapple with alien ideas, reckon with gaps in their knowledge, and confront complexity.
    — The New Yorker, New Yorker, 20 July 2026
  • Reaching mainstream heights was once unthinkable for this radical, uncompromising act, but Paul sensed new horizons in the recording studio.
    — Steve Appleford, SPIN, 20 July 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 25 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of unorthodox for Spanish Speakers

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