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untoward

adjective

ˌən-ˈtō-ərd How to pronounce untoward (audio)
Definition of untowardnext
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

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 This time, however, Charlotte promptly scolded him for his untoward behavior. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 13 June 2026 Despite denying anything untoward, Russini tendered her resignation within days, as a company investigation got underway. — Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026 Maradona reacted as if nothing untoward had happened, running across to celebrate in front of his father in the stand. — Michael Cox, New York Times, 3 June 2026 All sorts of untoward usage can be envisioned. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for untoward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untoward
  1. rebellious
  2. uncontrollable
  3. adverse
  4. inappropriate
  5. rebel
  6. unmanageable
  7. unfavorable
  8. improper
Adjective
  • Vivienne Westwood, who died in 2022, helped define the punk fashion movement and became internationally known for rebellious designs that challenged conventional ideas of fashion and style.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
  • Emma and Lizzie belong to a wealthy New England family and were once close, but as Lizzie and her rebellious housemaid Bridget Sullivan (Vicky Krieps) become deeply entangled, their relationship strains.
    — Yamillah Hurtado, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • To sleep, no more Two scientists who identified the role that a key neuropeptide plays in the uncontrollable sleepiness of narcolepsy were one of three recipients of the prestigious Lasker Awards, announced Thursday.
    — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026
  • The engineer abruptly resigned after refusing to contribute to a reckless corporate competition that could ultimately lead to uncontrollable AI.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026
Definition of uncontrollable
Adjective
  • Of those, several found modest associations linking the mother’s use of her phone with adverse measures of fetal growth.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Mac Haddow, with the American Kratom Association, said the FDA and states that have banned kratom are conflating the natural product with synthetic and chemically manipulated ones, which are associated with adverse effects and even deaths.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of adverse
Adjective
  • The restaurant industry across the country is challenging and rife with workplace abuse and inappropriate behavior that includes issues like heavy drinking, inappropriate relationships, fights between employees and wage theft.
    — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026
  • For households, the AdGuard Family Plan also includes parental controls for restricting access to inappropriate and adult content.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • The bloc also called on the Houthis to cease all military actions, attacks against civilian shipping and for Iran to end its support for the rebel group.
    — Sam Meredith,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 22 Sep. 2026
  • Big Psi for rebel exoplanet Planets form from disks of gas and dust that surround infant stars.
    — Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • But security has to evolve with them to prevent unmanageable sprawl and workloads.
    — Morey Haber, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Undiagnosed learning disabilities, trauma or neglect can also make ordinary frustration feel unmanageable.
    — Samantha Agate, Sacbee.com, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of unmanageable
Adjective
  • The agreement, which excluded some aspects of previous international proposals that Rhodesia had found unfavorable, also bypassed the PF leaders and their considerable support base.
    — Chinatsu Tsuji, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Independent Leadership Council pollster Brett Loyd attributed Kiley’s increase to a larger number of voters in the district who have unfavorable views of both major political parties.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • Similarly, the spokesperson said OpenAI models used publicly available developer keys to read demographic and economic Census Bureau data, but that the company found no evidence of improper access to Census accounts.
    — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2026
  • On June 29, a New Haven Superior Court jury found Stokes guilty of murder, criminal attempt to commit improper sale of a firearm, conspiracy to commit improper sale of a firearm and carrying a pistol or revolver without a permit.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of improper

Browse Nearby Words

untouched
untoward
untowardness
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Cite this Entry

“Untoward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untoward. Accessed 1 Oct. 2026.

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