unconventional
Different from what most people usually do; not traditional.
Not following what is generally done, accepted, or expected; different from traditional or usual ways.
(Energy) From sources that need special methods to extract.
(Of oil, gas, or energy production) obtained from sources or reservoirs that typically require specialized extraction methods rather than traditional drilling, such as shale formations or oil sands.
(Military) Using irregular or nontraditional ways of fighting.
(In military contexts) involving methods that are not part of standard, regular warfare, such as guerrilla tactics, sabotage, or covert operations.
- Base: unconventional
unconventional medicine
1non-mainstream medical treatments
Treatments that are not part of standard medical care.
- Some patients turn to unconventional medicine when standard treatments fail.
- The clinic offers acupuncture and other forms of unconventional medicine.
- Always talk to a doctor before combining prescription drugs with unconventional medicine.
- Some people try unconventional medicine for pain.
unconventional warfare
1war using irregular methods
Fighting that uses secret or irregular methods instead of normal battles.
- The manual outlines how small units can conduct unconventional warfare.
- The group relied on unconventional warfare tactics such as sabotage and ambushes.
- Analysts warned that the conflict could escalate into cyberattacks and other forms of unconventional warfare.
unconventional wisdom
1belief against popular opinion
A popular-sounding idea that is the opposite of what most people think.
- The unconventional wisdom is that raising prices can sometimes increase demand.
- In the startup world, the unconventional wisdom is to launch early and fix problems later.
- Her talk challenged the unconventional wisdom that multitasking makes you more productive.
- The unconventional wisdom is that sleep is more important than long work hours.