UNTOWARD Synonyms: 345 Similar and Opposite Words

untoward

adjective

ˌən-ˈtō-ərd

Definition of untoward next

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

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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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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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

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 untoward 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 Oh, and there's a human operator on board in the front passenger seat, instructed to remain silent through the trip and be prepared to hit a kill switch in case of any untoward incidents in traffic. —

New Atlas, 23 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for untoward

Recent Examples of Synonyms for untoward

Adjective

The film explores the iconic partnership between Fonteyn, a 42-year-old prima ballerina and Britain’s most famous dancer, and Rudolf Nureyev, the 23-year-old rebellious Soviet defector who became her partner on stage (and, it was rumored, off it as well).

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Apr. 2026
When the skyscraper where Rayburn and his family lives is destroyed in an explosion, Creasy attempts to regain his military prowess in his determination to protect Rayburn’s rebellious teen daughter Poe (Billie Boullet), who has been targeted by the terrorists.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2026