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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unorthodox
Considering all these things, expect Mark Daigneault and the Thunder to try unorthodox things in these final 16 games of the season.
—
Nick Crain, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Some alternatives for the unorthodox pick-me-up are chilling face masks, using a jade roller, or placing another metal tool in the fridge overnight.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
The Associated Press declared Fine the winner with 54% of the vote 30 minutes after the polls closed, ending attention to a race that turned out to be closer than expected amid frustration with the Trump administration and an aggressive campaign by an unorthodox Democrat who far out-raised Fine.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
All the while each vignette feels simultaneously familiar and alien, at once classically old-fashioned and brazenly unorthodox.
—Sezin Devi Keohler, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Nick Crain, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
Some alternatives for the unorthodox pick-me-up are chilling face masks, using a jade roller, or placing another metal tool in the fridge overnight.
—Taylor Ardrey, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
The Associated Press declared Fine the winner with 54% of the vote 30 minutes after the polls closed, ending attention to a race that turned out to be closer than expected amid frustration with the Trump administration and an aggressive campaign by an unorthodox Democrat who far out-raised Fine.
—Philissa Cramer, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025
All the while each vignette feels simultaneously familiar and alien, at once classically old-fashioned and brazenly unorthodox.
—Sezin Devi Keohler, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unorthodox
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unorthodox
Adjective
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The mill embraces the beauty of imperfection and asymmetry in Chaos Aesthetics, a trend concept that favors expressive textures, unconventional finishes and rich tactile experiences.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
17 Apr. 2025
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The generational gap in honesty found in the survey comes amid a broader trend of unconventional job-search behaviors among younger candidates, including ghosting employers and abandoning the hiring process midway.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The curved, low-profile silhouette creates a modern spin on the otherwise classic design, while the chair’s high-density foam filling offers superior support.—
Megan Schaltegger,
People.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Most of the modern canal network originally dates to pre-Hispanic times, more than 1400 years ago.—
Ari Caramanica,
The Conversation,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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When the executive order goes into effect, de minimis packages from China will be subject to an informal entry process, and each package that travels to the U.S. via international post will now be subject to a tariff rate of 120 percent or $100, a rate that will increase to $200 after June 1.—
Tianwei Zhang,
Footwear News,
14 Apr. 2025
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What exactly are the rules for saving seats at an informal event where seats are not assigned? Related Articles Miss Manners: Heroes?—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
12 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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Rumors about an investigation against He first surfaced among the Chinese dissident community following China’s annual political meetings last month.—
Nectar Gan,
CNN Money,
4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The Supreme Court declined to lift the lower court’s order, with Barrett and another conservative, Chief Justice John Roberts, joining the three liberal justices: Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sotomayor.—
Niall Stanage,
The Hill,
9 Apr. 2025
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Rest assured, the play makes liberal use of the Netflix show’s signature electro-ethereal theme music.—
Sarah Bahr,
New York Times,
9 Apr. 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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Paired with these out-there visuals are rather poignant subtitles as Noah ponders time and grief, ultimately leading him to embrace the present and enjoy every moment with the doll before losing track of him.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Alon-Lee Green, the founding co-director of Standing Together, a progressive grassroots movement, told CNN that young people aren’t at fault for the extremist attitudes that are dividing wider Israeli society.—
Kara Fox,
CNN Money,
28 Mar. 2025
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California voters further reversed progressive policies by passing Proposition 36, which enhances penalties for theft and drug offenses.—
Carson Becker,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Europe is in the midst of its own radical transformation, singed and stunned by Trump's tariffs, constant insults, undermining NATO and siding with Russia over Ukraine.—
Axios,
Axios,
9 Apr. 2025
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These are not radical propositions but instead form baseline expectations for any organization that is entrusted with the lives, safety and stories of vulnerable people.—
Sughnen Yongo,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unorthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unorthodox. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.
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