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
Their love story, which began in 2011 and has now spanned dozens of countries, resulted in an unconventional life built together on the road.
—
William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
During his absence, his wife and kids have formed an unconventional family unit, and Hampton’s return spins their world into chaos.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching.
—James Calvin Davis, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
Guests flocked to the espresso martini bar (which concealed a secret door leading to a private lounge where a few discreetly slipped away) or lounged in the outdoor living room, where swinging beds served as unconventional seating.
—Jamila Stewart, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
William Lambers, Newsweek, 8 Mar. 2025
During his absence, his wife and kids have formed an unconventional family unit, and Hampton’s return spins their world into chaos.
—Angelique Jackson, Variety, 6 Mar. 2025
Uncommon Courses is an occasional series from The Conversation U.S. highlighting unconventional approaches to teaching.
—James Calvin Davis, The Conversation, 5 Mar. 2025
Guests flocked to the espresso martini bar (which concealed a secret door leading to a private lounge where a few discreetly slipped away) or lounged in the outdoor living room, where swinging beds served as unconventional seating.
—Jamila Stewart, Vogue, 1 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unconventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unconventional
Adjective
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Turkish authorities have fired and arrested tens of thousands of people in the wake of a 2016 coup attempt by a Turkish military faction allegedly linked to the movement of dissident religious leader Fethullah Gulen.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
19 Mar. 2025
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In 2018, dissident Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered and dismembered.—
Ned Temko,
The Christian Science Monitor,
13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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There’s never been a better time to accomplish this goal thanks to loads of markdowns on Martha Stewart’s Wayfair line, which is packed with modern farmhouse furniture and decor that exude springtime’s fresh, calming spirit.—
Megan Schaltegger,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
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In an era dominated by CGI, Hung emphasizes the physical authenticity that defined Hong Kong action while acknowledging modern techniques.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, many women around the world are still struggling to find work, with many holding precarious jobs or forced to hustle in the informal economy just to get by.—
Meera Senthilingam,
CNN,
7 Mar. 2025
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Not in a classroom with a lecture but sitting on your couch with your family, eating some popcorn, getting this informal education, and hopefully planting a seed that, hey, Black women do this type of science.—
Victoria Uwumarogie,
Essence,
7 Mar. 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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Moskowitz has the lowest rating of any Florida Democrat in scoring by Progressive Punch, which produces a database of congressional voting records from a progressive perspective.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
16 Mar. 2025
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Sinema also noted progressive leader Rep. Pramila Jayapal's (D-Wash.) demands for Schumer to filibuster.—
Justin Green,
Axios,
15 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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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
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What differed this time around was how Rousteing’s take on showiness relied strongly on organic form, animal print, and fetishism than its usual out-there irreverence.—
Julian Randall,
Essence,
6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Asheville, where the forum was held, is liberal, but the district overall is so Republican that the national Democratic Party did little to help impressive nominees in the last three elections.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
17 Mar. 2025
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Teenagers in our study who disapproved of Trump were more likely to be female and Latino, Black or Asian, to have politically liberal parents, and to have parents or grandparents who were immigrants.—
Laura Wray-Lake,
The Conversation,
17 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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For those unfamiliar with the series, Severance is an Apple TV+ drama set in a near-future where employees undergo a radical procedure to split their memories between work and personal life.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
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So the Terriers coaching staff approached him with a radical idea: why not try shooting them underhanded?—
Sean Gregory,
TIME,
20 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unconventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unconventional. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
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