1
as in unconventional
deviating from commonly accepted beliefs or practices
a time when people with unorthodox religious views were banished from the colony
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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
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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
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Recent Examples of unorthodox
This is one of several unorthodox but effective projects such as FrankenSAM Soviet launchers adapted to American missiles.
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David Hambling, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
But most Weird Foothill Guy content promotes Kaufman’s highly unorthodox style of backcountry skiing—one that seems to defy logic.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 18 Dec. 2024
Escobedo is one of Mexico’s most visible architects but an unorthodox choice for a Knickerbocker institution and a custodian of global cultural history.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Dec. 2024
Isaacman, who has twice traveled to space on private missions and has close ties to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk but lacks experience in government or academia, is an unorthodox selection.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unorthodox 
David Hambling, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024
But most Weird Foothill Guy content promotes Kaufman’s highly unorthodox style of backcountry skiing—one that seems to defy logic.
—Frederick Dreier, Outside Online, 18 Dec. 2024
Escobedo is one of Mexico’s most visible architects but an unorthodox choice for a Knickerbocker institution and a custodian of global cultural history.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 10 Dec. 2024
Isaacman, who has twice traveled to space on private missions and has close ties to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk but lacks experience in government or academia, is an unorthodox selection.
—Jackie Wattles, CNN, 6 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for unorthodox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox
Adjective
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There, unconventional thinkers took advantage of a collapsing market.William Mullane, USA TODAY, 12 Jan. 2025
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Break Routine: Explore unconventional locations to make the experience more memorable.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
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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Employers willing to adapt to these findings can build resilient, engaged teams while maintaining the flexibility modern workers value.Scott Hutcheson, Forbes, 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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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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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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However, that kind of spacey wackiness plays better in the mini-franchise already known for out-there adventures rather than the one known for down-to-earth heists.Christian Holub, EW.com, 30 Dec. 2024
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Low-Energy Nuclear Reactions NERD’s out-there pursuit was low-energy nuclear reactions (LENR)—still popularly known as cold fusion.IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 25 Nov. 2024
Adjective
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Roger Valdez thinks, writes, works on housing, and advocates for progressive supply side solutions to inflation.Roger Valdez, Forbes, 2 Jan. 2025
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During the 1970s Missoni’s signature motifs would come to communicate progressive Italian fashion across the US.Luke Leitch, Vogue, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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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
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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
Thesaurus Entries Near unorthodox
Cite this Entry
“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unorthodox. Accessed 17 Jan. 2025.
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