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
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
In addition, negating painful memories and trying to proceed as if everything is normal contorts one’s emotional life and results in untoward effects.
—George Makari, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for 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
In addition, negating painful memories and trying to proceed as if everything is normal contorts one’s emotional life and results in untoward effects.
—George Makari, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for untoward
Recent Examples of Synonyms for untoward
Adjective
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The chancellor is caught between febrile bond markets worried about government debt levels across advanced economies and rebellious Labour lawmakers who recently forced the government to pull back on reforms to welfare spending.—
Emma Burleigh,
Fortune,
22 July 2025
-
Once Audrey Hepburn was seen in a pair of the prototypical capri pants, everyone wanted to own them, and de Lennart’s hero product was later donned by the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Elizabeth Taylor: appreciated for its originally rebellious intentions and modern-woman appeal.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
21 July 2025
Adjective
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Owners are increasingly savvy about distinguishing between controllable and uncontrollable costs.—
Tyler Christiansen,
Forbes.com,
18 July 2025
-
After doing so, Haley couldn't contain herself and broke out in uncontrollable laughter.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
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The team identified three distinct behavioral phenotypes as a result of their experiments, representing the varying sensitivity of people to the adverse consequences (punishment) of their actions.—
Jennifer Ouellette,
ArsTechnica,
24 July 2025
-
Without such data, the systems can serve adverse, false results or fail to understand the context of a user’s query, among other issues.—
Meghan Hall,
Sourcing Journal,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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Once the encounter was posted online, internet sleuths quickly detected the identity of the duo, and the encounter was deemed particularly inappropriate given Byron is married.—
Kim Elsesser,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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Schneider has denied allegations of inappropriate behavior and toxicity on set.—
Shania Russell,
EW.com,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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The country is currently led by former rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa who was appointed transitional president last March, having acted as its de-facto leader following Al-Assad’s flight to Russia.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
16 July 2025
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The president led 15,000 federalized militiamen from Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania into the west—though no rebel army materialized to oppose them.—
Time,
Time,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
These unpredictable, and often downright unfavorable, conditions are already impacting event attendance.—
Shawn Pierce,
Forbes.com,
22 July 2025
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There are other allusions to unfavorable animal traits in humans.—
Mindy Weisberger,
CNN Money,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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His attorneys are now seeking access to information from prosecutors and from Mangione's insurer, Aetna, arguing the subpoena was improper.—
Aaron Katersky,
ABC News,
18 July 2025
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The county inspector general, in a December 2021 report, found mismanagement in the district and improper payments made to district trustees.—
Mike Nolan,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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One factor that does serve to lend a veneer of playful irony to the film’s contrary elements is Aaron Gilhuis’ original score.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
15 July 2025
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Why are denials effective even in the presence of contrary evidence?—
ROSEANNE MCMANUS,
Foreign Affairs,
28 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untoward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untoward. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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