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
Following the War of the Worlds‘ July 30 premiere on Prime Video, Ice Cube also explained why the release took so long, taking into account other unconventional footage used in the making of the film.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
Ne-Yo‘s unconventional love life apparently comes with an unconventional bed.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 12 Sep. 2025
His interpretation has solidified Peacemaker as one of DC's most compelling and unconventional recent characters, thanks largely to Cena's comic timing, physicality, and unexpected emotional range.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The team also plans to use RIXS to study other unconventional forms of transport in materials.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Sep. 2025
Ne-Yo‘s unconventional love life apparently comes with an unconventional bed.
—Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 12 Sep. 2025
His interpretation has solidified Peacemaker as one of DC's most compelling and unconventional recent characters, thanks largely to Cena's comic timing, physicality, and unexpected emotional range.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025
The team also plans to use RIXS to study other unconventional forms of transport in materials.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
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This situation has raised the question once again as to whether the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) should create a special category for dissident filmmakers who are barred from representing their countries.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
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In Northern Ireland, dissident IRA groups launched attacks even after the Good Friday Agreement was concluded in 1998, which formally ended the Troubles.—
Alpaslan Ozerdem,
The Conversation,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Still, the trouble with grafting modern assumptions onto distant historical eras is that the two usually mix like oil and water.—
Will Collins,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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Built as a modern Mega Drive (or Genesis) game with a cartridge release planned next year, Earthion really pushes what that console can do.—
Ollie Barder,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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While fake goods have exchanged hands in informal markets since ancient times, the growth of online marketplaces has contributed to the rise in counterfeits because of how easy online shopping and selling have become.—
Gabrielle Fonrouge,Paige Tortorelli,
CNBC,
19 Sep. 2025
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Humberto Leon, of Opening Ceremony, acted as something of a business mentor; Jennifer Sabel, a casting director and longtime friend, provided sporadic, informal investments—a couple thousand dollars here and there, with no strings attached.—
Ana Karina Zatarain,
New Yorker,
19 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Board member Renee Paschall cast the lone dissenting vote on the final package.—
Elizabeth Sander,
San Antonio Express-News,
19 Aug. 2022
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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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Now, major Hollywood unions and progressive groups are pushing back, accusing ABC and its affiliates of censorship and demanding a boycott of Disney properties.—
Amanda Castro
Shane Croucher
Anna Commander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Without establishing any link to last week’s shooting, the Republican president and members of his administration have discussed classifying some groups as domestic terrorists, ordering racketeering investigations and revoking tax-exempt status for progressive nonprofits.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
17 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Just like the Nômade property in Tulum, Nômade Temple Holbox is mindfulness focused to the core, offering experiences ranging from introductory yoga classes to more out-there wellness experiences like lucid dreaming sound journeys.—
Carley Rojas Ávila,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
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Too cruel, too pointed, and way too out-there, at least in the world that Roach and McNamara have previously knit together.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
26 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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For many on the Right, Carr is a welcome protector of conservative views on broadcast networks that Republicans say have long been dominated by liberal positions.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
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Conservatives have accused liberal justices of injecting politics into rulings.—
Allan J. Lichtman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The undersung feminist folkie was a radical presence on the movement circuits of the 1970s.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
19 Sep. 2025
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Prince explained that this system, which itself represented a radical departure from traditional print media business models, is now collapsing.—
Nino Paoli,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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