untoward
7 synonyms and 2 antonyms for untoward, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Unfavourable or improper; not what is expected or acceptable.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Unfavourable or improper; not what is expected or acceptable.
“Nothing untoward happened during the flight.”
Opposites
2. adjective
Difficult to control or manage.
“The untoward child refused to sit still for the photo.”
Opposites
How to use untoward
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
nothing untoward
an untoward incident
untoward behaviour
Etymology
From un- (\"not\") plus toward, originally meaning heading in the wrong direction.
Full origin of untoward →Frequently asked questions
What does “untoward” mean?
The word “untoward” means unfavourable or improper; not what is expected or acceptable. In plain terms, something out of place, improper, or unlucky — often used in the negative, as in "nothing untoward.".
How do you pronounce “untoward”?
“Untoward” is pronounced uhn-tuu-WAWD (/ˌʌn.təˈwɔɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “untoward” in a sentence?
Here is “untoward” used in a sentence: “Nothing untoward happened during the flight.”
What part of speech is “untoward”?
“Untoward” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “untoward” have?
“Untoward” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unfavourable or improper; not what is expected or acceptable.
