untoward

adjective

un·​to·​ward ˌən-ˈtō-ərd 

-ˈtȯ(-ə)rd;

ˌən-tə-ˈwȯrd 

1

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

2

a

: marked by trouble or unhappiness : unlucky

b

: not favorable : adverse, unpropitious

untoward side effects

3

: improper, indecorous

untowardly adverb

untowardness noun

Did you know?

Toward and Untoward

For centuries, toward was used for "forward-moving" youngsters, the kind who showed promise and were open to listening to their elders. The adjective then came to mean "obliging." The opposite of this toward is froward, meaning "disobedient." Froward has fallen out of common use, and the cooperative sense of toward is obsolete, but untoward is still moving forward.

Synonyms

• balky
• contrary
• contumacious
• defiant
• disobedient
• froward
• incompliant
• insubordinate
• intractable
• obstreperous
• rebel
• rebellious
• recalcitrant
• recusant
• refractory
• restive
• ungovernable
• unruly
• wayward
• willful
• wilful

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

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

untoward

adjective

un·​to·​ward ˌən-ˈtō(-ə)rd  ˈən- 

-ˈtȯ(-ə)rd;

ˌən-tə-ˈwȯ(ə)rd

1

: hard to manage : stubborn, willful

an untoward child

2

: causing trouble : unlucky

an untoward accident