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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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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Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of unconventional
For a supposedly unconventional tale, the movie doesn’t challenge any of the stereotypical narratives about the drug trade that are already rampant in popular Western media and politics.
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Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 6 Jan. 2025
Emilia Pérez, the highly unconventional Spanish-language musical from the French filmmaker Jacques Audiard and the American distributor Netflix, was the toast of the Capri Hollywood International Film Festival over the Christmas/New Year break.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025
Even though his guitar sounded undeniably like his guitar on Jane’s, Deconstruction songs were more unconventional than even Jane’s most unconventional music.
—Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Missing out on a first trophy of the post-takeover era was bad enough, but Jurgen Klopp’s unconventional decision to introduce several raw teenagers from his bench created a situation where the only possible outcomes from a final Chelsea went into as underdogs were victory or humiliation.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unconventional 
Kyndall Cunningham, Vox, 6 Jan. 2025
Emilia Pérez, the highly unconventional Spanish-language musical from the French filmmaker Jacques Audiard and the American distributor Netflix, was the toast of the Capri Hollywood International Film Festival over the Christmas/New Year break.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2025
Even though his guitar sounded undeniably like his guitar on Jane’s, Deconstruction songs were more unconventional than even Jane’s most unconventional music.
—Aaron Gilbreath, SPIN, 31 Dec. 2024
Missing out on a first trophy of the post-takeover era was bad enough, but Jurgen Klopp’s unconventional decision to introduce several raw teenagers from his bench created a situation where the only possible outcomes from a final Chelsea went into as underdogs were victory or humiliation.
—Liam Twomey, The Athletic, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
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The capacity of civil society to serve as a place where dissident voices can speak out is fundamental to democratic freedom.Johann Neem / Made by History, TIME, 2 Jan. 2025
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As a young adult, Mr. Kara-Murza remained active in both journalism and politics in Russia, working alongside Mr. Nemtsov and producing a documentary series about the Soviet dissident movement.Valerie Hopkins, New York Times, 25 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The style felt like a vintage find from the 1940s, but with modern construction.Shelby Wax, Vogue, 14 Jan. 2025
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Gaza has been destroyed more completely than almost any urban area in the history of modern warfare.Sarah Yager, Foreign Affairs, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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People’s participation in both formal and informal service remains low.Alice Park, TIME, 7 Jan. 2025
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Service, from formal volunteering to informal small acts of kindness, is about helping each other.Vivek H. Murthy, People.com, 7 Jan. 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
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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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Zoom out: The Sixteen Thirty Fund acts as a clearinghouse for progressive causes, funneling unrestricted money — around $400 million in the 2020 campaign, according to the New York Times — to various organizations.Hans Nichols, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025
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The two used a parliamentary move to attempt to force a full vote in the council, but the Johnson administration’s campaign with progressive allies and immigration advocates succeeded at beating back the legislation.Jake Sheridan, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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As far as more out-there collaborators go, how did the tape with Surf Gang happen?Mano Sundaresan, Pitchfork, 17 Jan. 2025
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This will be the Mortal Fools’ third gig ever, again at Evanston SPACE — an out-there booking for a venue whose 2025 talent so far includes Emmylou Harris and Josh Rouse.Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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This Carter button, in the campaign’s signature green, summed up their politically balanced ticket: Deep South partnered with far North, appealing to liberal and conservative Democrats alike.Bill Marsh, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
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South Korea’s conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol — weakened after the liberal opposition retained control in an April election -– astonished the country by declaring martial law in a late-night announcement on Dec. 3.Jill Lawless, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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For Asia, far more than a radical deviation from existing U.S. foreign policy, Trump’s return to power amplifies and accelerates a trend that has been underway since the Vietnam era.Bilahari Kausikan, Foreign Affairs, 7 Jan. 2025
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Along with the Wooster Group, Robert Wilson and Mabou Mines, Foreman extended the radical traditions of the Living Theater and the 1960s collectives that followed.Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near unconventional
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.
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