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 It is decorated more like a living room than a conventional sports facility, with a warm palette, rich leathers, and cozy rugs. — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Aug. 2026 But researchers caution that the boom in small backyard units is not enough on its own to close the county’s enormous housing shortage — and that ADUs do not always function like conventional apartments available on the open rental market. — Teresa Liu, Daily News, 11 Aug. 2026 Companies like Bloom Energy can build and deliver capacity when other conventional players can't. — Alan Ohnsman, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026 And because bioplastics and conventional plastics often look and feel identical, they can be mixed up and cause problems for composters. — ABC News, 10 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
  • Its separate entrance, elevators, and staff have always set it apart from the surrounding casino ecosystem, offering a smoke-free, gaming-free environment with all the brand’s usual service signatures.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Aug. 2026
  • For example, someone who is comfortable walking for 30 minutes could walk at their usual pace for several minutes, then pick it up for a minute or two before slowing down again.
    — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of usual
Adjective
  • Despite a bear market, Schwab responded to client demand for consolidating crypto alongside traditional investments.
    — Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 13 Aug. 2026
  • The secret mission was carried out without the knowledge of members of the press traveling with the president and even some White House officials who were still aboard the old traditional Air Force One.
    — Isabella Murray, ABC News, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of traditional
Adjective
  • Diplomatic efforts today too often grant the Taliban a formal place at the table while limiting contact with Afghan women to informal consultations.
    — Rina Amiri, Foreign Affairs, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Between now and then, there is much parsing of the 16-track album’s rich content to be done, with millions of words of formal and informal think-pieces to come.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of formal
Adjective
  • By adjusting the electron-trapping layer, the researchers could tune the device’s current recovery time across an approximately fivefold range.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Though the current main building was erected in 1902, part of the Old City Hall, which dates to 1845, was incorporated into it.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of current
Adjective
  • The elder, Alamagan, attempts to resolve the conflict through customary law and religious counsel, but the absence of truth fractures the community.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 10 Aug. 2026
  • The village elder fails to resolve the case via customary law and religious counsel.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of customary
Adjective
  • Throughout the service, Imane carried a traditional umbrella symbolizing protection, while Patrick carried a ceremonial sword representing strength and responsibility.
    — Alexandra Macon, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Sugar confronts her at a ceremonial funeral for the unknown deceased, a fittingly dramatic setting for our guy to have the final word as FBI agents roll up on the assemblywoman.
    — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 7 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
  • More to Explore Mindful of the cultural importance of orthodox Islam, Singaporean practitioners respond to religious authorities’ objections in various ways.
    — H.M.A. Leow, JSTOR Daily, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Nobody had the chance to play as an orthodox right-winger until Ruben Amorim’s exit in January.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 2 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 15 Aug. 2026.

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