1
as in unconventional
deviating from commonly accepted beliefs or practices
a time when people with unorthodox religious views were banished from the colony
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 purists were always going to take issue with a Prancing Horse that had an electric powertrain instead of snarling internal combustion engine, but its unorthodox design, courtesy of Jony Ivy’s LoveFrom studio, has received just as much criticism.
—
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
26 June 2026
Haney spent much of the trial focused on the unorthodox nature of an arson investigation that started after a second fire had consumed the initial crime scene.
—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
His lyrics were layered, skillful and unorthodox.
—
Jabari M. Evans,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
The list of suspects swell, as in an Agatha Christie novel, as Noelle’s unorthodox snooping about leads to surprise twists.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Bryan Hood,
Robb Report,
26 June 2026
Haney spent much of the trial focused on the unorthodox nature of an arson investigation that started after a second fire had consumed the initial crime scene.
—
Brittny Mejia,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2026
His lyrics were layered, skillful and unorthodox.
—
Jabari M. Evans,
The Conversation,
24 June 2026
The list of suspects swell, as in an Agatha Christie novel, as Noelle’s unorthodox snooping about leads to surprise twists.
—
Randy Myers,
Mercury News,
18 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox
Adjective
-
Mauricio Pochettino has made the unconventional conventional since taking over as coach of the national team 18 months ago.
-
Many shoppers are also moving beyond the classic round brilliant diamond in favor of geometric cuts, elongated shapes and unconventional settings.
Adjective
-
Given modern advances, many organizations are turning towards auto-triaging by AI services and other digital tools to help ease the burden for physicians.
-
One non-negotiable of the modern footballer is good coffee.
Adjective
-
Authorities are also investigating the death of a Malawian man after he was allegedly killed by a mob at an informal settlement in the city of Pietermaritzburg, near Durban.
-
It is joined by an adjoining family room and informal dining area.
Adjective
-
Five long-standing Iranian dissident groups, including PJAK, the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan and the Kurdistan Freedom Party, had formed an alliance, Reuters also reported.
-
Dislocation from tariffs, onshoring, war, oil, and supply shocks present opportunities for dissident shareholders to show laggards the way.
Adjective
-
Some prominent liberal legal scholars even attempted to defend substantive-due-process rights using originalist and textualist methods.
-
In a stark move, liberal Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor directly criticized Thomas' claim in a joint opinion.
Adjective
-
The classic straight-leg silhouette is relaxed throughout, providing ease and movement to the style, balancing the more out-there design details.
-
The ballerina sneaker trend is just the latest in a line of kooky shoe creations that range from wearable to wildly out-there.
Adjective
-
According to the report, the boy first developed progressive facial numbness and tingling on the right side of his face, followed by loss of appetite, painful swallowing and vomiting.
-
But its original progressive elements have not only lasted, but become the law of the entire land — from sea to shining sea.
Adjective
-
Its faith that people can rebuild their lives and start over feels almost radical today.
-
That being said, the use of such transcripts requires a radical rethinking of the evidentiary landscape and the role of juror psychology.
Cite this Entry
“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unorthodox. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
