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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for untoward
New Atlas, 23 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untoward
Adjective
-
But the couple have yet to conceive an heir, so when Jerome absconds and his dashing friend Manfred (Galitzine) arrives with dastardly intentions, Hero (Corrin), Cherry’s wily and loyal maid, is forced to concoct a plan to distract Manfred by telling captivating stories about rebellious women.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Oct. 2025
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With her King Kylie persona, Jenner showed off more rebellious, edgy and experimental looks, including blue hair.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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What’s curious, then, is not Trump’s eagerness to degrade us, but his uncontrollable urge to defile himself and his office.—
Michelle Goldberg,
Mercury News,
23 Oct. 2025
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When he was hired, Hazimeh told supervisors he had been diagnosed with anxiety, resulting in an uncontrollable nervous tic.—
Caroline Zimmerman,
Kansas City Star,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Kalshi’s proclamations about geolocation expenses having a serious adverse effect on its budget are disputed by people and companies from the gambling establishment.—
Dan Bernstein,
Sportico.com,
16 Oct. 2025
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For the descendants of fired, demoted, and aspiring civil servants, the adverse economic effects persisted for generations.—
Time,
Time,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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And if the gifts this year are inappropriate, the fault will rest solely with him.—
Mark Mondier,
Arkansas Online,
19 Oct. 2025
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After Ansari set Being Mortal as his directorial debut in February 2022, also set to star alongside Murray, Deadline reported exclusively that April that Searchlight Pictures had suspended production following allegations of inappropriate behavior against Murray.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
18 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The 64-year-old actor famously portrays rebel leader Morpheus, captain of the Nebuchadnezzar, in the hit sci-fi action film franchise.—
Erin Clack,
PEOPLE,
18 Oct. 2025
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The palace officials assured them the president was there, hashing out a plan with his military and Russian and Iranian advisers to confront the advancing rebel forces.—
Danny Makki,
New York Times,
16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The poll shows Earle-Sears with a 43 percent favorable rating versus a 46 percent unfavorable mark, while Spanberger has a 47 percent favorable rating versus a 44 percent unfavorable score.—
Deputy News Editor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Oct. 2025
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Despite the unfavorable margins, sustained growth on Amazon is better than folding altogether.—
Mara Weinraub,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Edward Kabacinski pleaded no contest to improper possession of a firearm, according to online Macomb County Circuit Court records.—
Christina Hall,
Freep.com,
21 Oct. 2025
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But Vance recently urged Americans to call the employers of those who posted improper sentiments about slain activist Charlie Kirk.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Allow contrary viewpoints to be heard.—
Kelly G. Richardson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Oct. 2025
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The current chaotic geopolitical landscape fuels contrary trends in the South Caucasus.—
Thomas de Waal,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untoward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untoward. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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