1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
tried to reason with the untoward child
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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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as in unfitness
the quality or state of not being socially proper
the untowardness of the politically biased speech raised some eyebrows at the charity fund-raiser
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of untoward
Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2024
In reality, news outlets have strict firewalls between their editorial teams and business executives that insulate decision desks from any untoward influences.
—Eric Schultz, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Aug. 2023
And the ratios in the new box have the right numbers—no untoward gaps to reduce your forward momentum.
—Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, 26 Jan. 2023
Emmy Rose took a moment to think about how many of her grandmother’s songs accuse her husband, Doolittle, of untoward behavior with other women.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Adjective
In the entertainment world, even mere accusations of untoward actions have caused the removal of K-pop idols from their groups, their existence never to be acknowledged again.
—Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Jan. 2024
In reality, news outlets have strict firewalls between their editorial teams and business executives that insulate decision desks from any untoward influences.
—Eric Schultz, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Aug. 2023
And the ratios in the new box have the right numbers—no untoward gaps to reduce your forward momentum.
—Patrick Bedard, Car and Driver, 26 Jan. 2023
Emmy Rose took a moment to think about how many of her grandmother’s songs accuse her husband, Doolittle, of untoward behavior with other women.
—Chris Willman, Variety, 2 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untoward
Adjective
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Lesser powers that find themselves under the dominion of a great power against their wishes can be resentful and rebellious.—
Margaret MacMillan,
The Atlantic,
30 Apr. 2025
-
In 1978, an ambitious and rebellious young woman, Marina Bulgari, decamped from her family business to branch out with her own jewelry brand.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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At least, as much as possible in an inherently uncontrollable industry.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
24 Apr. 2025
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The sloppy security breaches, the embarrassing headlines, the uncontrollable infighting and undermining, the lack of accountability — this all belongs to Hegseth.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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So far, Lilly said the adverse effects of its new pill are consistent with GLP-1s, a class of medications primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes.—
Jonathan Limehouse,
USA Today,
18 Apr. 2025
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In the study, the researchers measured patients’ impulse control behavior disorders, excessive daytime sleepiness, blood pressure changes and weight changes, and found that the adverse effects linked to tavapadon were no different from those who received a placebo.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
18 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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That’s as the league continues its investigation of longtime Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who was accused of inappropriate behavior by 16 massage therapists as part of an investigation by The Baltimore Banner.—
Jeff Zrebiec,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
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Herro was asked this as well: Is the type of the comment that Garland made inappropriate for a player to say about another player?—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Plutarch, future Head Gamemaker of the 75th Hunger Games and commander of the rebel forces, is a young Capitol cameraman in this timeline who is tasked with documenting the tributes of District 12.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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The civil war in Sudan, between the government’s SAF and the rebel Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has just passed its grisly second anniversary.—
Paul Tilsley,
FOXNews.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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If this leads to an acquittal, and to unfavorable comparisons to O. J. Simpson’s lawyers, Steel is unlikely to care.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
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Further, parental reaction to the plan has also been unfavorable.—
Savanah Jackson,
New York Daily News,
27 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Courts and Compliance In terms of the legal battles over Trump's moves, people widely rejected the administration's accusations of improper judicial interference.—
Gary Langer,
ABC News,
26 Apr. 2025
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Graham was arrested shortly before 4:45 p.m. and charged with engaging police in pursuit, operating an unregistered motor vehicle, improper use of a marker plate, operation without minimum insurance, unsafe passing and operating a motor vehicle without a license.—
Justin Muszynski,
Hartford Courant,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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House Republicans who have been pressed about their position have contended, despite a contrary view from experts, that the Trump cuts can be executed without taking services from Medicaid recipients.—
James Rainey,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Apr. 2025
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Ricks had to introduce conflict and contrary opinions in meetings to induce richer discussion and honest evaluation of projects and their risks and benefits.—
Alice Park,
Time,
17 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untoward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untoward. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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