unorthodox
adjective
un·or·tho·dox ˌən-ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks 
: not orthodox
unorthodoxly adverb
Synonyms
- dissentient
- dissenting
- dissident
- heretical
- heretic
- heterodox
- iconoclastic
- maverick
- nonconformist
- nonorthodox
- out-there
- unconventional
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
a time when people with unorthodox religious views were banished from the colony raised by an aunt, whose unorthodox parenting practices made for a strange but fun childhood
Recent Examples on the Web Alex Wagner knows her new prime-time perch on MSNBC is an unorthodox arrangement. 
David Bauder, ajc, 15 Aug. 2022 As midterm elections heat up, political campaigns are beginning to think differently and trying some unorthodox methods to win. ABC News, 20 July 2022 In San Antonio when the seasons change, the number of fires increases as residents use space heaters and other unorthodox ways of staying warm, Hood said. Taylor Pettaway, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Dec. 2021 To help, the members of Forbes Biz Council below share unorthodox ways real estate professionals can attract the attention of potential clients and effectively engage with them. Forbes Biz Council Expert Panel, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2021 The governor frequently uses unorthodox ways to measure state spending, lumping together dollar amounts that span multiple years. John Myers, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2021 Sure, the Popeyes idea was unorthodox, but look at them! Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 9 Aug. 2022 Besides that, the order of Mass depicted is highly unorthodox. Pat Padua, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2022 That the talented ensemble takes an unorthodox approach to historical orthodoxy does not feel like an attempt to rewrite the past. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 15 June 2022 See More
David Bauder, ajc, 15 Aug. 2022 As midterm elections heat up, political campaigns are beginning to think differently and trying some unorthodox methods to win. ABC News, 20 July 2022 In San Antonio when the seasons change, the number of fires increases as residents use space heaters and other unorthodox ways of staying warm, Hood said. Taylor Pettaway, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Dec. 2021 To help, the members of Forbes Biz Council below share unorthodox ways real estate professionals can attract the attention of potential clients and effectively engage with them. Forbes Biz Council Expert Panel, Forbes, 13 Oct. 2021 The governor frequently uses unorthodox ways to measure state spending, lumping together dollar amounts that span multiple years. John Myers, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2021 Sure, the Popeyes idea was unorthodox, but look at them! Victoria Uwumarogie, Essence, 9 Aug. 2022 Besides that, the order of Mass depicted is highly unorthodox. Pat Padua, Washington Post, 4 Aug. 2022 That the talented ensemble takes an unorthodox approach to historical orthodoxy does not feel like an attempt to rewrite the past. Peter Marks, Washington Post, 15 June 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1629, in the meaning defined above
unorthodox
adjective
1
as in unconventional
deviating from commonly accepted beliefs or practices a time when people with unorthodox religious views were banished from the colony Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- unconventional
- dissident
- dissenting
- iconoclastic
- maverick
- heretical
- nonconformist
- heretic
- heterodox
- nontraditional
- out-there
- dissentient
- separatist
- nonorthodox
- renegade
- free-spirited
- freethinking
- sectarian
- defecting
- apostate
- schismatic
- schismatical
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- orthodox
- conventional
- conformist
- conforming
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- unconventional
- modern
- liberal
- nontraditional
- progressive
- radical
- contemporary
- nonconventional
- advanced
- nonorthodox
- broad-minded
- open-minded
- lenient
- permissive
- extreme
- tolerant
- impartial
- unbiased
- forbearing
- large-minded
- indulgent
- objective
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- traditional
- orthodox
- conservative
- conventional
- rigid
- stodgy
- hidebound
- hard
- dogmatic
- strict
- nonprogressive
- old-fashioned
- dogmatical
- bigoted
- doctrinal
- intolerant
- reactionary
- blinkered
- unreconstructed
- narrow-minded
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 Synonyms & Similar Words
- unconventional
- informal
- heterodox
- irregular
- unceremonious
- unofficial
- unauthorized
- casual
- relaxed
- familiar
- easygoing
- offhand
- ultracasual
- lax
- free and easy
- loose
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- conventional
- orthodox
- regular
- formal
- routine
- proper
- ceremonial
- correct
- rigid
- ceremonious
- restrained
- stiff
- decorous
- uptight
- inhibited
- constrained
- stuffy