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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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
-
Artist Sean Gordon Murphy has always had a rebellious indie streak to his work.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
The Clash are singing of a city aflame, the Sex Pistols are somehow getting more popular after imploding on tour, and on every street corner, mohawks and safety pins are on rebellious display.—
Peter Larsen,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
The plane became uncontrollable after take-off and crashed short of the runway on its return to the airport, according to the complaints.—
Joe Marusak
May 1,
Charlotte Observer,
1 May 2026
-
It's characterized by persistent, intrusive and uncontrollable thoughts about food.—
Alora Bopray,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Environmental officials documented no adverse effects on plant or animal life during the two-week display.—
Jeff Kleinman,
Miami Herald,
9 May 2026
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Part of the 5th Circuit’s rationale for reinstating the in-person requirement was the fact that the FDA eliminated mandatory reporting of adverse events associated with the drug.—
Theresa Gaffney,
STAT,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
In a recent speech, Thomas tied the nation’s highest ideals to a conservative vision of limited government — and launched a broadside on progressivism seen by critics as unfair and inappropriate.—
Lindsay Whitehurst,
Los Angeles Times,
7 May 2026
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The complaint mentioned that the head coach had maintained an inappropriate relationship with a UAB student-athlete, which included the coach allegedly sleeping at the player's residence on different occasions.—
Trey Wallace OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
7 May 2026
Adjective
-
Authorities say Saturday’s attack was perpetrated by the Central General Staff, EMC, a rebel group under the command of infamous ex-FARC commander Ivan Mordisco.—
Alfie Pannell,
Miami Herald,
27 Apr. 2026
-
Colombia’s defense minister on Sunday said that kidnappings and lockdowns enforced by rebel groups on communities had decreased in Cauca over the past year because of the government's actions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Embiid’s aggressiveness early — along with Tyrese Maxey’s speed and ability to put defenders in bad positions — put the Knicks in unfavorable foul trouble early.—
Fiifi Frimpong,
New York Daily News,
5 May 2026
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And into this steps an American pope with a 42% favorable rating and an 8% unfavorable rating, a net favorability 34 points better than the president’s, making the moral case against the very war that is producing the economic pain.—
Catherina Gioino,
Fortune,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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Former Attorney General Pam Bondi reinstated a similar policy in 2025 banning improper third party settlements.—
Katherine Faulders,
ABC News,
8 May 2026
-
The restaurant was closed due to critical violations including improper food holding temperatures and storage techniques, lack of hand hygiene and overall poor cleanliness, city officials said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
8 May 2026
Adjective
-
The desperate, contrary need to be different — to be florid — pulled me completely out of the story.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
22 Apr. 2026
-
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 11 May. 2026.
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