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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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 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
  • The collection’s attempt at provocation was perhaps best illustrated by a top with underboob exposure that seemed intended to signal a rebellious edge but came across as little more than an ill-fitting garment in search of a point of view.
    — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
  • Now, Pugh has entered the chat with the most rebellious version yet.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • Elementary school students may have tantrums, be clingy, have toileting accidents, engage in uncontrollable crying or become less talkative as a result of changes in schools, homes and caregivers.
    — Nikki R Wooten, The Conversation, 9 Oct. 2026
  • DeStefano kicked into a quasi-rock groove on acoustic guitar, and the guys launched into a chorus about shaking off uncontrollable hassles and restoring positivity.
    — Tom Roland, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of uncontrollable
Adjective
  • Gastrointestinal problems, such as nausea, were the most common adverse events, generally experienced as doses were increased.
    — Mike McRae October 09, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026
  • The team’s findings, published last week in Nature Communications, reveal that, when given such a drug, rodents suffer adverse reactions similar to the paranoia human cannabis users feel.
    — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of adverse
Adjective
  • On the police's Facebook account on Tuesday, officers criticized inappropriate comments and warned that sharing or joking about such incidents can worsen the impact on any victim.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
  • In addition, pharmaceutical advertising or education aimed at doctors may also increase inappropriate prescribing, probably increases the number of prescriptions written, and may increase the costs of prescriptions.
    — Ed Silverman, STAT, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of inappropriate
Adjective
  • Quarterback Jim McMahon wore a headband and adopted a rebel stance while Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton led a powerful attack.
    — Ira Kaufman, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2026
  • In Congo, where the outbreak has spread to seven provinces, responders have faced attacks on health teams, misinformation about the virus, a failure by locals to report symptoms and rebel violence that has limited access to treatment centers.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • Without the right architecture, cloud and connectivity costs could become unmanageable, limiting the benefits of the AI era.
    — David Kelly, Forbes.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Pawlikowski’s mother and father, also named Zula and Wiktor, whose unmanageable love had kept them tangled and disentangled for decades, took their own lives in 1989, as the Cold War that had cast its chill upon their time was beginning to thaw.
    — Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of unmanageable
Adjective
  • Echard, then 28 and a former NFL athlete, had ended his season 26 run on the popular ABC series as an unfavorable lead, to say the least.
    — Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
  • For example, a retiree with sufficient cash value might use it to supplement other assets rather than selling investments during an unfavorable market period.
    — Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of unfavorable
Adjective
  • In 2024, its football program acknowledged impermissible recruiting contacts during the COVID-19 recruiting dead period, improper tryouts and unauthorized coaching by noncoaching staff.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 11 Oct. 2026
  • The production was shut down in Livingston, Montana last Saturday when locals complained about the production’s impact on the Livingston food bank and improper warnings about hazardous stunts.
    — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 10 Oct. 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 16 Oct. 2026.

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