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
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
The strong substance carries the potential to elicit numerous untoward side effects, such as tooth discoloration, damage to bones, cognitive defects, skin problems, thyroid disease, reproductive issues, and a host of neurological conditions.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for untoward
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
The strong substance carries the potential to elicit numerous untoward side effects, such as tooth discoloration, damage to bones, cognitive defects, skin problems, thyroid disease, reproductive issues, and a host of neurological conditions.
—Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 30 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untoward
Adjective
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The third book in the Luna Sisters series follows the journey to love for the youngest and most rebellious Luna sister, Gabriela.—
Mia Sosa,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
-
Meanwhile, Gemma’s niece Cady (McGraw) is now 14, a rebellious teenager living under Gemma’s overprotective rules.—
Denise Petski,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The main risk is that these batteries can overheat and go into thermal runaway, a chain reaction that occurs when a lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state—resulting in extremely high temperature, smoke and, ultimately, a fire that is notoriously difficult to put out.—
Suzanne Rowan Kelleher,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
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See a doctor if your bumps do not improve with home care or if the itching is uncontrollable.—
Carrie Madormo,
Health,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Swift and Lively’s long friendship had been a distinct sub-plot in the IEWU legal battles, with tabloid fodder that the duo have fallen out over the controversy adverse Eras Tour performer getting tainted with the whole thing.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
12 Sep. 2025
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The potential adverse consequences to entrepreneurs when well-being is disregarded are well-documented.—
Samantha Dewalt,
Fortune,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Some of my friends were pressured to send inappropriate pictures, contacted by strangers, and exposed to content way beyond our age.—
Annabelle Canela,
Parents,
12 Sep. 2025
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Businesses/nominees cannot obtain votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Offering a complete range of tailored clothing, leather jackets, footwear, and accessories, JV denotes the taste of high fashion with a rebel aesthetic.—
Cassell Ferere,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
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The rebel run is the biggest of them all.—
George Caulkin,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Also, unfavorable factors are the extension price tag that can top tens of billions of dollars annually, and eligibility that includes those making 400% the poverty rate.—
Ramsey Touchberry,
The Washington Examiner,
11 Sep. 2025
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Two years before the Rule was finalized in 1944, the Supreme Court made unfavorable (unpublished) comments about a draft proposal permitting the government to take pretrial depositions.—
Robert Anello,
Forbes.com,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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But when attendees arrived on the remote island, there was little food — except, famously, cheese sandwiches — along with tents for housing and no actual music performances as the festival crumbled, with McFarland blaming improper infrastructure.—
Conor Murray,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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Citizens said its policy didn’t cover some of the property damaged by the leak and said other damage was due to wear and tear and improper installation.—
Mario Ariza,
ProPublica,
15 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The lieutenant, alas, offered some contrary information.—
D. T. Max,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
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Some will feel comfortable stating contrary opinions in front of the rest of the team; some won’t.—
Ellen Whitlock Baker,
Forbes.com,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untoward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untoward. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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