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
Using that data, the system monitors the dark web and other sources for any untoward activity involving that personal data.
—
PC Magazine, 17 June 2025
At the very least, Democrats and Republicans agree that wafting cigarette smoke in someone’s face and capturing their reaction on video — without first asking — is untoward.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025
The specialized data training that followed the initial development of the generative AI app is supposed to curtail that type of untoward activity.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
The strong substance carries the potential to elicit numerous untoward side effects, such as tooth discoloration, damage to bones, cognitive defects, skin problems, thyroid disease, reproductive issues, and a host of neurological conditions.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for untoward
PC Magazine, 17 June 2025
At the very least, Democrats and Republicans agree that wafting cigarette smoke in someone’s face and capturing their reaction on video — without first asking — is untoward.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2025
The specialized data training that followed the initial development of the generative AI app is supposed to curtail that type of untoward activity.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Mar. 2025
The strong substance carries the potential to elicit numerous untoward side effects, such as tooth discoloration, damage to bones, cognitive defects, skin problems, thyroid disease, reproductive issues, and a host of neurological conditions.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untoward
Adjective
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Taking inspiration from the the Jolly Roger, this 44mm watch has both military functionality and a rebellious spirit, with a blackout dial punctuated by a luminous skull-and-crossbones emblem at 9 o’clock.—
Matthew Catellier,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Related Stories The film centers on 12-year-old Janna, who embarks on a journey toward Mecca to preform Hajj with her strict grandmother Sitti and rebellious 18-year-old sister Sarah.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Beyond Venezuelan incompetence, American pressure and fears of uncontrollable escalation may be driving Chinese caution.—
Wesley Alexander Hill,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
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Unlike the original Izo, Didi is described as an unpredictable and uncontrollable gang leader who has isolated others that are part of the powerful Viv Ansanm gang coalition.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The specialty retailer’s chief financial officer, Robert Ball, said Abercrombie has seen about $5 million in adverse impact from tariffs during the second quarter, chiefly manifested in the cost of sales, and expects $90 million net impact from tariffs for the year.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
4 Sep. 2025
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This tool helps with reading, writing, summarizing, adverse-event profile reviews, label comparisons, clinical protocol assessments, and even generating database code.—
Sixteen Ramos,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Production on the star's prior film, Being Mortal, was suspended by Searchlight Pictures in 2022 after a staffer filed a complaint against actor Bill Murray, alleging inappropriate behavior.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Sep. 2025
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While Roblox has filters and moderation, kids can still be exposed to inappropriate language, scams, or unsafe conversations.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Gilroy’s version was an origin story tracing the making of a revolutionary, the education of Cassian Andor as a scruffy, reluctant malcontent who is radicalized into a rebel leader.—
Anne Thompson,
IndieWire,
13 Aug. 2025
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Originally, the many rebel groups fighting Assad’s forces included both secular and Islamic militias.—
Rami Zeedan,
The Conversation,
11 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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According to a Pew Research Center survey, half of Americans hold an unfavorable opinion of the Supreme Court.—
Kate Plummer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
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The latest national polls from groups like Reuters/Ipsos, Civiqs, AP/NORC, Gallup and more have the president's overall approval rating marked as unfavorable once again.—
Joyce Orlando,
Nashville Tennessean,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In that appeal, prosecutors are asking the Supreme Court to give them permission to appeal the order for a new trial, which prosecutors contend was improper.—
Dan Horn,
The Enquirer,
3 Sep. 2025
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However, there’s one critical aspect that most startups tend to overlook—the high rate of failure due to improper data governance.—
Jagadish Gokavarapu,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The divergence of important market rates from Fed policy rates in the last 11 months constitutes a strong contrary response.—
George Calhoun,
Forbes.com,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Each makes its contrary unreal, even absurd.—
Roy Scranton
August 20,
Literary Hub,
20 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untoward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untoward. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.
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