untoward

[ uhn-tawrd, -tohrd ]

adjective

1. unfavorable or unfortunate:

   Untoward circumstances forced him into bankruptcy.

2. improper:

   untoward social behavior.

3. Archaic. froward; perverse.

untoward

/ ˌʌntəˈwɔːd; ʌnˈtəʊəd /

adjective

1. characterized by misfortune, disaster, or annoyance
2. not auspicious; adverse; unfavourable
3. unseemly or improper
4. out of the ordinary; out of the way
5. archaic.
   refractory; perverse
6. obsolete.
   awkward, ungainly, or uncouth

Derived Forms

• ˌuntoˈwardness, noun
• ˌuntoˈwardly, adverb

Other Words From

• un·to·wardly adverb
• un·to·wardness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of untoward¹

First recorded in 1520–30; un- ¹ + toward

Example Sentences

In a statement, the World Conker Championships said nothing "untoward" was seen by judges or umpires.

From BBC

He rebuked the claims and said he was dismayed that the magazine would mischaracterize a “respectful relationship” as something untoward.

From Slate

Phone calls were also listened in on, Ms Mulla said, and if members of the security team heard anything "untoward" or "negative about Mohamed Al Fayed", again they would be reported back.

From BBC

The mother of Baby C said the trust's then medical director, Ian Harvey, told her at a meeting in February 2017 a post-mortem examination had found nothing untoward about her baby's death and that he could not have been saved.

From BBC

It says these allegations have been put under intense scrutiny by the National Audit Office which found nothing untoward.

From BBC

Related Words

• adverse
• disturbing
• perverse
• unfortunate
• unmanageable