1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
tried to reason with the untoward child
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
All sorts of untoward usage can be envisioned.
—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Nothing heavy, nothing untoward.
—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
9 Mar. 2026
Thankfully, there’s nothing so untoward about the allegations facing the Clippers now.
—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
None of these inspections turned up anything untoward.
—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Nothing heavy, nothing untoward.
—
Vivian Salama,
The Atlantic,
9 Mar. 2026
Thankfully, there’s nothing so untoward about the allegations facing the Clippers now.
—
Mirjam Swanson,
Oc Register,
15 Feb. 2026
None of these inspections turned up anything untoward.
—
Nate Anderson,
ArsTechnica,
25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untoward
Adjective
-
This could bring about sudden ideas, or trigger rebellious impulses and creative imagination.
-
In 2000 at age 15, he was sent to live in Australia with a host family because his father thought Zhang was too rebellious to stay in China.
Adjective
-
The jealousy that emanates from every pore of this guy is uncontrollable.
-
An uncontrollable laugh when tickled is vastly different from a polite laugh in a meeting, an infectious laugh during a movie, or a nervous little giggle after making a mistake.
Adjective
-
In pharmacogenomics, understanding how genes affect drug efficacy helps doctors prescribe the right drug at the optimal dose while reducing adverse reactions.
-
Johnson was undone by revelations of his conduct during Covid lockdowns and Truss by the adverse market reaction to her 2022 mini-Budget.
Adjective
-
Murdaugh’s attorneys appealed the convictions, saying the trial was tainted by the county clerk Becky Hill’s inappropriate comments to jurors implying his guilt.
-
Live streams and other unfiltered media can expose kids to risky or inappropriate content, so adult guidance is key.
Adjective
-
Starmer had previously vowed to stand in any formal Labour leadership race triggered by rebel lawmakers who feating a 2029 election wipeout sought to replace him.
-
Many rebel groups are offshoots of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, which had been fighting to overthrow the government since the 1960s and had been the country's largest guerrilla organization.
Adjective
-
The weather service’s forecast discussion for Kansas City said the stubborn heat could last through the Fourth of July.
-
Against all odds, the stubborn housing market has become a hotspot for young talent.
Adjective
-
The undertaking might seem crazy to those who diss the fight game or have unfavorable reviews of the current administration.
-
Negotiating power is harder to see—until conditions become unfavorable and someone needs to act against the system their balance sheet depends on.
Adjective
-
While the expiration of the enhanced ACA subsidies at the end of 2025 made insurance more expensive for millions of consumers, the HHS assistant secretary for planning and evaluation report cited efforts to crack down on improper signups.
-
The agency is also asking visitors to the World Cup game or Fan Fest to report any unsafe or improper drone use to the FBI tipline at 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Cite this Entry
“Untoward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untoward. Accessed 1 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
