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
The mainstay of the AI law is to set boundaries on AI and the use of biometric data such as fingerprints, eye retina recordings, and voiceprints, though this is aimed at government entities and not necessarily private sector organizations, and to prohibit using AI in untoward ways.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
None of these inspections turned up anything untoward.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Nor is there anything untoward and deceptive about it.
—Adam Gelb, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Nearly two years after Denny Crum's death and an untoward incident that left his gravesite monument at the bottom of the Red Sea, the legendary University of Louisville men's basketball coach's final resting place is nearing completion.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
None of these inspections turned up anything untoward.
—Nate Anderson, ArsTechnica, 25 Sep. 2025
Nor is there anything untoward and deceptive about it.
—Adam Gelb, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Aug. 2025
Nearly two years after Denny Crum's death and an untoward incident that left his gravesite monument at the bottom of the Red Sea, the legendary University of Louisville men's basketball coach's final resting place is nearing completion.
—Killian Baarlaer, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untoward
Adjective
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That would be a massive threat to the hegemony established by the film, especially for people at their most curious, rebellious age.—
Richard Lawson,
HollywoodReporter,
15 May 2026
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And what could be more rebellious than sending a roomful of serious cinephiles screaming for the exits?—
Christopher Vourlias,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The Phoenix area was expected to receive 25-40 mph winds on May 17 with gusty winds, dry fuels and low humidity, potentially leading to fire danger with easier starts and the uncontrollable spread of new or existing fires, the weather service said.—
Christian Cervantes,
AZCentral.com,
17 May 2026
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The blaze is massive and uncontrollable.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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Post-Adverse Outcome Disclosure Obligations The replacement bill also creates disclosure obligations after an adverse outcome.—
Alonzo Martinez,
Forbes.com,
15 May 2026
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Prolonged stress can have adverse consequences, especially for pregnant mothers, children and critically ill patients.—
Adam Harrington,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said at a news conference that Hill’s conduct was inappropriate but ultimately harmless.—
Abigail Brooks,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
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On April 12, former congressman Swalwell, 45, suspended his campaign for governor of California after multiple women accused him of inappropriate behavior ranging from sending lewd, unwanted messages to drugging, raping and choking them.—
Meredith Kile,
PEOPLE,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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When Aleppo fell in late November, in part due to that tunnel operation that cut off the regime's supply lines, the rebel groups made a split-second decision to continue the offensive.—
Emily Feng,
NPR,
17 May 2026
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Fuel and fertilizer needed for the rice crop are just the latest necessities to become unaffordable in Rakhine state, which has been devastated by intense fighting between the Myanmar military and the Arakan Army (AA), one of the many rebel groups in the country.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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Assess contract health to reduce your exposure to cost creep and unfavorable terms.—
David Pennino,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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For Healey, 39% of respondents had a favorable view of her as governor, compared to 45% who have an unfavorable view of her.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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Murdaugh’s attorneys appealed the murder convictions, saying the trial was tainted by the county clerk’s improper comments to jurors, prejudicial evidence and failures at trial.—
Ray Sanchez,
CNN Money,
15 May 2026
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How to Wash Sweat-Wicking Shirts These fabrics are designed to pull moisture away from the body, but improper washing can cause buildup, trapping bacteria and odors.—
Katie Cloyd,
Martha Stewart,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The desperate, contrary need to be different — to be florid — pulled me completely out of the story.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
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But there’s no shortage of people that take a contrary view.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Untoward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untoward. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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