untoward

adjective

un·to·ward | \ ˌən-ˈtō-ərd

, -ˈtȯ(-ə)rd; ˌən-tə-ˈwȯrd

Definition of untoward

1 : difficult to guide, manage, or work with : unruly, intractable

2a : marked by trouble or unhappiness : unlucky

b : not favorable : adverse, unpropitious untoward side effects

3 : improper, indecorous

Other Words from untoward Synonyms & Antonyms Toward and Untoward Example Sentences Learn More about untoward

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Toward and Untoward

More than 700 years ago, English speakers began using the word toward for "forward-moving" youngsters, the kind who showed promise and were open to listening to their elders. After about 150 years, the use was broadened somewhat to mean simply "docile" or "obliging." The opposite of this toward is froward, meaning "perverse" or "ungovernable." Today, froward has fallen out of common use, and the cooperative sense of toward is downright obsolete, but the newcomer to this series—untoward—has kept its toehold. Untoward first showed up as a synonym of unruly in the 1500s, and it is still used, just as it was then, though it has since acquired other meanings as well.

Examples of untoward in a Sentence

There was nothing untoward about his appearance. tried to reason with the untoward child

Recent Examples on the Web

His claim is that tax disclosure would interfere with ongoing IRS audits, a position that has hardly reassured political opponents that the president has nothing untoward to hide. — Ephrat Livni, Quartz, "Your tweets can and will be used against you in a court of law," 7 Aug. 2019 That dossier has become central to a GOP conspiracy theory, now entertained by Barr, that there was something untoward about the origins of the Russia investigation. — Author: Aaron Blake, Anchorage Daily News, "No collusion vs. no conspiracy: Key questions Mueller could answer," 23 July 2019 Campbell says the practice has unfair and untoward implications for her and other women. — Suhauna Hussain, latimes.com, "A Mississippi politician denied access to a female reporter. What is the ‘Billy Graham rule’ he cited?," 15 July 2019 Wasko said there's nothing untoward about his request. — John Wisely, Detroit Free Press, "Former Detroit school official seeks $41,193 payout for unused vacation days," 21 June 2019 Michael Garcia's report on the bidding process was eventually summarised by FIFA, who insisted that nothing untoward had been discovered. — SI.com, "Michel Platini: The Former UEFA President's Controversial Career in Football Politics," 18 June 2019 Often, older adults require therapy after an untoward event brings them to the hospital — for instance, a stroke or a bad fall. — Judith Graham, Washington Post, "Scrutinizing Medicare Coverage For Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy," 29 Mar. 2018 Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said there was nothing untoward or undemocratic in the process under way. — Ann M. Simmons, WSJ, "Despite Demonstrations, Russian Elections Promise No Drama—By Design," 9 Sep. 2018 There was nothing untoward about my requests for transfers of Abraaj Group funds to me or my family, or for my personal investments or obligations. — Simon Clark, WSJ, "Private-Equity Firm Abraaj Raised Billions Pledging to Do Good—Then It Fell Apart," 16 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'untoward.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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More Definitions for untoward

untoward

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of untoward

formal

: bad or unfavorable : not good

: not proper or appropriate

See the full definition for untoward in the English Language Learners Dictionary

untoward

adjective

un·to·ward | \ ˌən-ˈtō-ərd

Kids Definition of untoward

: unexpected and unpleasant or improper Perhaps there was sickness in the temple, or some other untoward event …— Linda Sue Park, A Single Shard

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untoward

Definition of untoward

Other Words from untoward

Synonyms & Antonyms for untoward

Toward and Untoward

Examples of untoward in a Sentence

First Known Use of untoward

English Language Learners Definition of untoward

Kids Definition of untoward

untoward

Definition of untoward

Other Words from untoward

Synonyms & Antonyms for untoward

Toward and Untoward

Examples of untoward in a Sentence

First Known Use of untoward

English Language Learners Definition of untoward

Kids Definition of untoward

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