CONVENTIONAL Synonyms: 133 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'conventional' distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of conventional are ceremonial , ceremonious , and formal . While all these words mean "marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms," conventional implies accord with general custom and usage and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence. // conventional courtesy // conventional fiction

Q: How are the words 'ceremonial' and 'ceremonious' related as synonyms of 'conventional'?

Ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies. // a ceremonial offering

Q: When is it sensible to use 'ceremonious' instead of 'conventional'?

In some situations, the words ceremonious and conventional are roughly equivalent. However, ceremonious applies to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony. // made his ceremonious entrance

Q: Where would 'formal' be a reasonable alternative to 'conventional'?

The synonyms formal and conventional are sometimes interchangeable, but formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior. // a formal report // the headmaster's formal manner

conventional

adjective

kən-ˈvench-nəl

Definition of conventional

as in usual

accepted, used, or practiced by most people conventional wisdom holds that an incumbent president has an overwhelming advantage over his opponent

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in traditional

based on customs usually handed down from a previous generation tried to break from the conventional attitudes regarding the proper roles for men and women

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in formal

following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules conventional courtesy demands that the bridal couple send written thank-you notes for their gifts

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word conventional distinct from other similar adjectives?

Some common synonyms of conventional are ceremonial, ceremonious, and formal. While all these words mean "marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms," conventional implies accord with general custom and usage and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.

conventional courtesy

conventional fiction

How are the words ceremonial and ceremonious related as synonyms of conventional?

Ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies.

a ceremonial offering

When is it sensible to use ceremonious instead of conventional?

In some situations, the words ceremonious and conventional are roughly equivalent. However, ceremonious applies to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony.

made his ceremonious entrance

Where would formal be a reasonable alternative to conventional?

The synonyms formal and conventional are sometimes interchangeable, but formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior.

a formal report

the headmaster's formal manner

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of conventional That selectivity gives the process a different operating principle from conventional separation methods. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026 In others, conventional automation, process redesign or better system integration may deliver more value. — Eranda Maldeniya, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 Her tax returns show $60,000 a year in net income after depreciation, vehicle costs, and a warehouse write-off, a figure no conventional lender can stretch into a Miami purchase. — Karen Koehler, Miami Herald, 31 Aug. 2026 In keeping with the irreverent spirit of the Ig Nobel Prizes, the physical awards themselves are anything but conventional. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conventional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conventional

Adjective

Immediately, Zack-Carlos goes back to reasserting his presence in the house, eager to stay as long as possible and be his usual insufferable self.

— Ben Rosenstock, Vulture, 28 Aug. 2026
For cats that need a larger calorie reduction, Yeo said a veterinary weight-management diet may be safer than simply serving much less of their usual food because it is formulated to provide adequate nutrients with fewer calories.

— Lauren Paige Richeson, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of usual

Adjective

For these brands, lab-grown is in the name, and their styles are more akin to traditional natural diamond brands.

— Madeleine Schulz, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
Meanwhile, the business of journalism has changed so much financially, and a third of journalists don’t work for a traditional news organization.

— Jocelyn Noveck, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of traditional

Adjective

According to the International Energy Agency, global small modular reactor capacity could reach roughly 40 GW by 2050 under current policies, or as much as 120 GW under an accelerated scenario.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 29 Aug. 2026
The longer the current situation continues, the greater the strain on an economy already struggling with shortages, inflation and restrictions on trade.

— Hamidreza Azizi, Time, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of current

Adjective

But in August, the boys went with Charles to Scotland for their customary holiday with the Windsors at Balmoral Castle.

— Allie Merriam, Vanity Fair, 1 Sep. 2026
Ohtani threw a 20-pitch bullpen — shorter than his customary between-starts session — on Friday to tentatively set him up to throw the first inning Sunday.

— Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of customary

Adjective

Partners from The National Park Foundation, Save the Dunes, Friends of Indiana Dunes and Dunes Learning Center joined the National Park Service for the lodge’s ceremonial reopening, welcoming visitors inside for the first time since 1976.

— Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Many lieutenant governors across the country have only ceremonial duties, as their only job is to take over if the governor can’t complete the term.

— Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of ceremonial

Adjective

The group noted the projection was revised upward from an earlier estimate owing to an additional year in the budget window and higher prevailing interest rates.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2026
Likewise, prevailing concepts of Hamlet at the time cast the prince as a wan and melancholic, leading critics to bristle at Bernhardt’s energy.

— Betsy Golden Kellem, JSTOR Daily, 18 Mar. 2026

Definition of prevailing

Adjective

King’s indifference to orthodox formats enables formal mischief.

— Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
For a period, Pakistan deployed a 7-2 offside field against Cox to try and build some pressure, with a struggling Khurram Shahzad lacking the accuracy and rhythm to trouble him in more orthodox ways.

— Ben Jones, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of orthodox

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“Conventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conventional. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of conventional

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Cite this Entry

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