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
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
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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Many historians estimate that at least 15 to 20 percent of the population remained loyal to the crown, some even taking up arms against their rebellious neighbors and fighting alongside the British.—
Greg Daugherty,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 June 2025
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Inspired by 1953’s The Wild One starring Marlon Brando, the song and video captures the rebellious spirit of the cult classic, with scenes of a motorcycle being driven on an open road and birds in flight.—
Althea Legaspi,
Rolling Stone,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that causes uncontrollable hair loss on the scalp, face, and body.—
Shamsha Damani,
Health,
13 June 2025
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The laptop soon started doing the same thing as the other machine – with the uncontrollable cursor.—
Scott Kramer,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
Adjective
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The consequences are both deeply personal and widely systemic: Women are more likely to be misdiagnosed, experience adverse drug reactions, and face delays in care.—
Geri Stengel,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
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Mifepristone is currently part of that program, though a wealth of research has shown that less than 0.5% of women who take it have serious adverse reactions.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
5 June 2025
Adjective
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Both the city’s account and Mayor Quinton Lucas issued online apologies that night, agreeing that the post was inappropriate.—
Mike Hendricks,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
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There can be a change to the list if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on another would be inappropriate.—
Jordan King,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 June 2025
Adjective
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Yet none of this has dampened Mr. Trump’s enthusiasm for bringing U.S. influence to bear in trying to end the rebel incursion – in part because the fighting has affected a region that holds some of Congo’s main rare earth deposits.—
Ned Temko,
Christian Science Monitor,
12 June 2025
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The legislature entertained several bills—including two from Sumner—to authorize the government to seize rebel property, including slaves.—
Zaakir Tameez
June 11,
Literary Hub,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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But at a time when student-athletes’ rights prevail and provide the freedom to change schools and cash in, coaches aim to regain control and curtail roster movement — even at the expense of a player in an unfavorable situation.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
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The reality is that an underdeveloped supply chain and unfavorable economics are far larger factors.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 May 2025
Adjective
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The man, Lawrence Ray, argued that Hughes’ testimony about coercive control was improper.—
Gina Barton,
USA Today,
11 June 2025
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Tucked inside is a small but important provision: $25 million for the Department of Health and Human Services to use artificial intelligence to identify and recover improper Medicare payments.—
Ali Melad,
National Review,
10 June 2025
Adjective
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As is frequently the case in America these days, those looking for ways to blame an act of terror on distinctly right-wing or leftist extremism will find that the truth lies in a baffling and murky middle where contrary strains of radicalism converge.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
20 May 2025
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This is a contrary indicator as these levels are often seen at important market bottoms.—
Tom Aspray,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Untoward.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/untoward. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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