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 Transitioning from conventional diesel haulers to battery-electric trucks offers economic and environmental benefits. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2026 In conventional storage, that heat causes liquid hydrogen to evaporate into gas inside the storage tank. — Josh McMorrow, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026 Low-risk applications may require conventional cybersecurity, audit trails and human review. — Gregory Shahnovsky, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026 While much of the discussion and debate this year will be on the new, conventional TV is still at the core of MIPCOM. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conventional

Recent Examples of Synonyms for conventional

Adjective

The Sagittarius Moon opposes Uranus, making a public responsibility, schedule, or household plan less predictable than usual.

— Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 14 Oct. 2026
This is Kerry’s usual spiel at the beginning of a season; historically, the bravado lets up over time.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of usual

Adjective

The conversation also addressed AI, with Velazquez comparing current anxieties to earlier fears that computer animation and motion capture would eliminate traditional animation jobs.

— Davide Abbatescianni, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026
Fans care about rivalries among teams made up of students who generally progress through college and exhaust their eligibility alongside their classmates, rather than athletes whose college careers extend well beyond the traditional timeline.

— Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of traditional

Adjective

That year, after Israeli officials castigated Qatar for allegedly financing Hamas, the Qataris began demanding formal documentation of an arrangement the two governments had agreed was meant to provide relief to citizens of the beleaguered enclave.

— Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 Oct. 2026
With some formal firefighter training and background checks, volunteers commit to following fire officials’ orders, helping residents evacuate and putting out spot fires, while leaving the ferocious front-line flames to the professionals.

— Noah Haggerty, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of formal

Adjective

The district also later reported that about 2,000 student assessment records had been posted, including those of 60 current students.

— Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
The calves struggled against a current thick with floating clumps of river plants.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Oct. 2026

Definition of current

Adjective

Wallace plays Mia, a spoiled heiress who is sent by her grandfather to Palermo, Sicily, without money or her customary luxuries, to work as a real estate agent in the family business.

— Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026
The profession initially had been a blue-collar job, and in its origins in the Northeast, going to the pub and drinking after a long day of work was customary.

— Ben Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of customary

Adjective

Strandhill on the Sligo coast was our Palookaville, and our business today was ceremonial—the cremains of Chuck (Boyo) Murphy were in Tall Paul’s carrier, the little plywood box triple-bagged and Gorilla-taped for safety.

— Kevin Barry, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
For Ellison, Kreiz and the senior team at Skydance the ceremonial part of the job is over.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 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

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“Conventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conventional. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of conventional

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