1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
tried to reason with the untoward child
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uncontrollable
given to resisting control or discipline by others
a program for untoward teenagers that is designed to give them the kind of discipline that their parents were unable or unwilling to administer
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in adverse
opposed to one's interests
achieved great success as an artist despite growing up in a very untoward milieu
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4
as in inappropriate
not appropriate for a particular occasion or situation
unfortunately, one of the symptoms of dementia can be a tendency to make untoward and often shocking remarks
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of untoward
All sorts of untoward usage can be envisioned.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Nothing heavy, nothing untoward.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Thankfully, there’s nothing so untoward about the allegations facing the Clippers now.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
None of these inspections turned up anything untoward.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026
Nothing heavy, nothing untoward.
—Vivian Salama, The Atlantic, 9 Mar. 2026
Thankfully, there’s nothing so untoward about the allegations facing the Clippers now.
—Mirjam Swanson, Oc Register, 15 Feb. 2026
None of these inspections turned up anything untoward.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untoward
Adjective
-
To promote the new launch, the duo teamed up on a campaign captured on the streets of Paris by photographer Daniel Roché, with the aim of creating a series of images that reflects the fusion of youth culture and a cool, rebellious edge, Asics said.—
Stephen Garner,
Footwear News,
20 June 2026
-
The last of the rebellious slaveholding states was finally under federal control.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
19 June 2026
Adjective
-
In place of the ancient forest was a shorn land besieged by uncontrollable wildfires, prone to land-slides and erosion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
There are many uncontrollable factors such as settling into a new environment, family issues and injuries, how fast a player adapts, how their pathway can become blocked by the emergence of others in their position, and different coaches having different opinions of players.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
10 June 2026
Adjective
-
If an underwriting decision goes against you, ask for the reason; New York's rule, and others like it, were written partly to force insurers to explain adverse decisions rather than shrug at them.—
Dara-Abasi Ita,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
These conditions can increase your vulnerability to adverse effects from poor air quality.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
20 June 2026
Adjective
-
There really isn’t anything inappropriate about our relationship.—
Brande Victorian,
HollywoodReporter,
18 June 2026
-
Perhaps the way the fictional characters behave is inappropriate, but that's what made the show so funny.—
Britt Hayes,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 June 2026
Adjective
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Starmer had previously vowed to stand in any formal Labour leadership race triggered by rebel lawmakers who feating a 2029 election wipeout sought to replace him.—
Kim Hjelmgaard,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
Many rebel groups are offshoots of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which had been fighting to overthrow the government since the 1960s and had been the country's largest guerrilla organization.—
John Otis,
NPR,
21 June 2026
Adjective
-
But La Roja could not find a way past Vozinha and a stubborn defense that had an answer to everything Spain’s superstars threw at them.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
16 June 2026
-
Meanwhile, Hanks invests the vulnerable but stubborn Woody with a delectable senior resilience.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
16 June 2026
Adjective
-
The undertaking might seem crazy to those who diss the fight game or have unfavorable reviews of the current administration.—
Dan Gelston,
Fortune,
13 June 2026
-
Negotiating power is harder to see—until conditions become unfavorable and someone needs to act against the system their balance sheet depends on.—
Anatoly Iofe,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Adjective
-
Experts say a lack of access to information and improper staff training are major barriers for blind travelers.—
Zach Wichter,
USA Today,
22 June 2026
-
Although Ashley had alleged things like malice, ill-will and improper motives by Adam, that still fell short of proving that Adam knew that his statements were false.—
Jay Adkisson,
Forbes.com,
21 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Untoward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untoward. Accessed 22 Jun. 2026.
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