ORTHODOX Synonyms: 119 Similar and Opposite Words

orthodox

adjective

ˈȯr-thə-ˌdäks

Definition of orthodox

as in formal

following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules schoolteachers tended to favor poets who followed a very orthodox style of poetry

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in traditional

tending to favor established ideas, conditions, or institutions orthodox in their view of the world, the Founding Fathers subscribed to the 18th-century notion that only men with property should be allowed to vote

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 orthodox The 28-year-old struggled in Amorim’s 4-3-2-1 system, but Carrick has largely used a more orthodox 4-2-3-1 shape since taking over, making room for Rashford on the left side of the forward line. — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 Currently, the Kotel has a men’s section and women’s section, which is overseen by the haredi Orthodox Chief Rabbinate, and a nearby egalitarian section, which has been overseen by the non-Orthodox branches since 2016. — Rabbi Robyn Fryer Bodzin, Sun Sentinel, 9 June 2026 Valencia’s campaign is backed by most of the nation’s traditional parties and by economists who are concerned about the growing levels of debt under the Petro administration and want Colombia to return to more orthodox policies, the Associated Press reported. — Armando Regil Velasco, FOXNews.com, 31 May 2026 While the country's Orthodox religious authorities still refuse to officially ordain women as rabbis, this opportunity could open doors to other leadership roles. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for orthodox

Recent Examples of Synonyms for orthodox

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

On Independence Day, on the ceremonial grounds of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, a tribal nation that spans northeastern South Dakota and a small part of North Dakota, the afternoon heat rose steadily.

— Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
Older monks, many in gold robes, silently corrected the trainees who were bustling along the rows, bearing ceremonial objects.

— Pico Iyer, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of ceremonial

Adjective

Afghanistan was still a conservative society shaped by years of conflict, and students knew that certain questions could be misunderstood, draw unwanted attention or upset teachers and classmates.

— Fatima Faizi, NPR, 14 Aug. 2026
The delay is considered the first controversy of the country’s new government, led by conservative President Abelardo de la Espriella, who took office on Friday.

— Gonzalo Zegarra, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of conservative

Adjective

Astronomers have discovered an unusually massive, dense exoplanet that challenges conventional ideas about how rocky planets form.

— Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2026
Amentum and Laing O’Rourke will therefore join a project extending beyond conventional shipyard construction.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of conventional

Adjective

It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver.

— Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026

Definition of ceremonious

Adjective

The official cause and manner of death have not been determined, pending the results of additional testing.

— Holly Yan, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
The full list of content includes Fox’s first two X-Men films, both of which precede the MCU and helped usher in the superhero wave, while the rest are official Marvel films and series.

— Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of official

Adjective

There was an important loan at Clermont Foot in January 2024 as the defender looked for regular playing time.

— Gregg Evans, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
For the first time of their career, brothers Kyle and Corey Seager meet in a regular season game and, fittingly, both hit homers as Corey’s Dodgers defeat Kyle’s Mariners, 11 - 9.

— Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of regular

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orphic

orthodox

orthodoxies

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“Orthodox.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/orthodox. Accessed 21 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of orthodox

adjective

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