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

Examples of unorthodox in a Sentence

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

Here are a few of the unorthodox secrets that some celebs have claimed helped their marriages. —Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025

And that set the tone for some extremely unorthodox play this season. —Dalton Ross, EW.com, 8 Jan. 2025

While there were reportedly some hiccups in lining up the financing for the deal, Baker has proven himself time and again a whiz at orchestrating unorthodox retail and real estate deals. —David Moin, WWD, 6 Jan. 2025

The Riker manoeuver Will Riker had a famously unorthodox approach to sitting in chairs on the Enterprise, and his first officer counterpart on the Cerritos, Jack Ransom, is also an advocate of the Riker maneuver. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1629, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

unorthodox

adjective

un·​or·​tho·​dox ˌən-ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks 

ˈən-

: not orthodox : not usual

an unorthodox teaching method