ˌən-kən-ˈven(t)-sh(ə-)nəl
1
as in dissident
deviating from commonly accepted beliefs or practices
the Shakers acquired their name because of their unconventional practice of dancing with shaking movements during worship
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in modern
not bound by traditional ways or beliefs
had unconventional opinions on the raising of children
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3
as in informal
not rigidly following established form, custom, or rules
young, creative people who lead unconventional but fulfilling lifestyles
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unconventional
In addition to unconventional finds, fresh flowers and everyday basics like milk, eggs, meat, bakery items and fresh produce, the new Westminster location will also offer beer and wine, according to the store’s description.
—
Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025
The following explores the logic behind the arguments about whether and how markets will bounce back and uses an unconventional approach to determining which one is more compelling.
—Robert Ginsburg, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
An unconventional use of color is found on the geometric paneling that covers not only the cabinets but also the countertops.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2025
These unconventional or niche markets—whether they’re built around specific lifestyles, cultural shifts, unique services, or underserved consumer segments—can offer less competition, more loyal customers, and a sharper opportunity to stand out.
—Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Jessica Alvarado Gamez, Denver Post, 15 Apr. 2025
The following explores the logic behind the arguments about whether and how markets will bounce back and uses an unconventional approach to determining which one is more compelling.
—Robert Ginsburg, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025
An unconventional use of color is found on the geometric paneling that covers not only the cabinets but also the countertops.
—Tori Latham, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2025
These unconventional or niche markets—whether they’re built around specific lifestyles, cultural shifts, unique services, or underserved consumer segments—can offer less competition, more loyal customers, and a sharper opportunity to stand out.
—Rhett Power, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
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In one case, operatives posing as art dealers interested in purchasing a work by a dissident artist secretly installed surveillance equipment in his workplace and a GPS tracker on his car.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
-
He’d been allowed through the security checkpoint to attend a session given by a professor at the university, a Tunisian dissident and political exile, a specialist in the liberation movements of the Global South.—
David Bezmozgis,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Apostolic churches believe in modern day apostles and prophets, or those who claim to communicate directly with God and receive gifts of the Holy Spirit.—
Lauren Costantino,
Miami Herald,
20 Apr. 2025
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For us as Jews, Easter has far more sinister overtones — of the passages from the Gospels that gave birth to modern antisemitism, of passion plays, pogroms, and emotional fuel for the literal fires that consumed our people.—
Joshua Stanton,
New York Daily News,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
These open-branching shrubs make an informal hedge that requires little pruning.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
25 Apr. 2025
-
In an informal presentation Monday to the Planning and Zoning Commission, Evjen and his consultants said the project would cluster the condos and parking to provide acreage for a wide conservation easement around the pond.—
Don Stacom,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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In the dissenting view, the star collapses to the edge of the event horizon and then hovers there, or rebounds and explodes.—
Corey S. Powell,
Discover Magazine,
26 Feb. 2015
-
The document runs to more than a hundred and fifty pages, and for each question there are affirmative and dissenting studies, as well as some that indicate mixed results.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
3 June 2022
Adjective
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Francis, who was a progressive leader of the church, had appointed roughly 80% of the cardinals who are eligible to vote for the new pope, according to Miles Pattenden, historian of the Catholic Church at Oxford University.—
Megan Forrester,
ABC News,
21 Apr. 2025
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Joseph Tobin Joseph Tobin, 72, is a highly progressive candidate for the Church and has amassed substantial influence in the U.S.—
Solcyré Burga,
Time,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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For now, there’s nothing quite so out-there, although deer blood is the star ingredient in the final dessert, a chocolate-ish (but cocoa-free) fondant served with hazelnut praline and malt ice cream.—
Ann Abel,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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An out-there premise, for sure, but one that has so far worked out better than anyone had a right to expect.—
Lissete Lanuza Sáenz,
StyleCaster,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Leading the charge for the religious parents was lawyer Eric Baxter, who got a grilling from the court's three liberal justices.—
Nina Totenberg,
NPR,
22 Apr. 2025
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The court’s three liberal justices all vigorously challenged the parents’ request in the case, seeing opt-out rights as a slippery slope.—
Devin Dwyer,
ABC News,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Living in Mexico is a radical act of joy, freedom, and reclamation.—
Essence,
Essence,
24 Apr. 2025
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Under the previous administration, SSA promoted radical and wasteful DEI and gender ideology while employees worked from home.—
Ross Rosenfeld,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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