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
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
-
Silicon Valley definitely has so much of that rebellious spirit.—
Andre Byik,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
-
On Tracker, Ackles portrays Russell, Colter’s charismatic and rebellious older brother, who has a similar skill set and lack of stable home life.—
Katie Mannion,
PEOPLE,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Newsom said that by sending California Guard members to Oregon and Illinois the administration is essentially admitting that they are not needed in Los Angeles, where the immigration officials they were sent to protect have not faced violent or uncontrollable protests for months.—
Sharon Bernstein,
Sacbee.com,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The cough grew violent, uncontrollable and exhausting.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Because obesity will drive higher blood pressure, higher blood sugar, more adverse cholesterol levels—all sorts of things—that sort of becomes a perfect storm.—
Veronique Greenwood,
Time,
6 Nov. 2025
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These weather conditions will result in elevated fire potential and a threat of adverse fire behavior.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The class counsel has argued that objectors are raising either points that were already decided, inappropriate for this forum, or unreasonable to address.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
5 Nov. 2025
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But some former students recently accused Gabbard, whose name is on the high school gym floor, of inappropriate conduct.—
Victoria Moorwood,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Al-Sharaa led the rebel forces that toppled former Syrian President Bashar Assad last December and was named the country's interim leader in January.—
NPR,
NPR,
11 Nov. 2025
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Warriors from more than a dozen Native nations in the trans-Appalachian West helped the redcoats engage rebel forces, as did perhaps twenty-five thousand Black fugitives from slavery.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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With 27% favorable and 16% unfavorable opinions among Republicans, more than half of them don't know enough to form an opinion.—
Kayla Dwyer,
IndyStar,
6 Nov. 2025
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The pressure dialed up by Minnesota, along with costly penalties, put this offense in unfavorable spots throughout the game.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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This distinction also means there is no improper delegation of Congress’ taxing power.—
Morgan Chalfant,
semafor.com,
7 Nov. 2025
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Health inspectors cited the Mexican grocery store after carnitas and chicken measured at improper holding temperatures, a repeat violation.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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But a sleight of hand is at work; the maybes of one chapter become the assumptions of the next, and at times contrary evidence is entirely ignored.—
Isaac Butler,
The Atlantic,
3 Nov. 2025
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So, a bit more about that unpopular, contrary sentiment.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
3 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untoward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untoward. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.
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