conventional

adjective

kən-ˈvench-nəl How to pronounce conventional (audio)
Definition of conventionalnext
1
as in usual
accepted, used, or practiced by most people conventional wisdom holds that an incumbent president has an overwhelming advantage over his opponent

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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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3
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 The first two places Katie Rettig lived in New York were anything but conventional. — Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 24 Aug. 2026 Such transformers are physically smaller and lighter than conventional transformers, have modular designs that enable easy upgrades or replacements of parts, and can perform as all-in-one power electronic devices by handling multiple tasks. — Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 24 Aug. 2026 These options offer lower rates than a conventional loan because the government insures them. — Kelsey Neubauer,jasmin Suknanan, CNBC, 24 Aug. 2026 His work in Miami has included physical and immersive productions that challenge conventional relationships between performer and spectator. — Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for conventional
Recent Examples of Synonyms for conventional
  1. usual
  2. traditional
  3. formal
  4. current
  5. customary
  6. ceremonial
  7. prevailing
  8. orthodox
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
  • YouTube has been keen to talk up its partnership with the BBC and other British networks during its time in Edinburgh this week, and positioned itself as friend, not foe to the traditional sector.
    — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Perhaps Parton’s most countercultural act was her decision to work and not have children at a time when Reagan’s push for traditional family values took hold of the country.
    — Shima Oliaee, Time, 26 Aug. 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • Early acting career Although Turner had no formal training, his raw talent soon caught the eye of several television directors.
    — L. Sue Baugh, Encyclopedia Britannica, 28 Aug. 2026
  • When the Soviet Union collapsed, NATO lost its formal justification.
    — JENNIFER KAVANAGH, Foreign Affairs, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of formal
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
  • The deal is subject to approvals of several Jardine Cycle & Carriage’s partners and other customary conditions.
    — Yessar Rosendar, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The mesmerizing juxtaposition of colors and cultures and sights and sounds from the customary scene was punctuated July 11 by the sixth and final match here, Argentina’s 3-1 victory over Switzerland.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 16 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

Phrases Containing conventional

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convention
conventional
conventionalism
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Cite this Entry

“Conventional.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/conventional. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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