What does untoward mean?

Definitions for untoward
ʌnˈtɔrd, -ˈtoʊrdun·to·ward

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word untoward.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. indecent, indecorous, unbecoming, uncomely, unseemly, untowardadjective

    not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society

    "was buried with indecent haste"; "indecorous behavior"; "language unbecoming to a lady"; "unseemly to use profanity"; "moved to curb their untoward ribaldry"

  2. adverse, inauspicious, untowardadjective

    contrary to your interests or welfare

    "adverse circumstances"; "made a place for themselves under the most untoward conditions"

Wiktionary

  1. untowardadjective

    Unfavourable, adverse, or disadvantageous.

  2. untowardadjective

    Unruly, troublesome.

  3. untowardadjective

    Unseemly, improper.

  4. untowardadjective

    side effects

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. Untowardadjective

    Have to my window; and if she be froward,
    Then hast thou taught Hortensio to be untoward. William Shakespeare.

    The ladies prove averse,
    And more untoward to be won,
    Than by Caligula the moon. Hudibras.

    The rabbins write, when any Jew
    Did make to God or man a vow,
    Which afterwards he found untoward,
    Or stubborn to be kept, or too hard;
    Any three other Jews o’ th’ nation,
    Might free him from the obligation. Hudibras.

    They were a cross, odd, untoward people. South.

    Some men have made a very untoward use of this, and such as he never intended they should. John Woodward.

    Vast is my theme, yet unconceiv’d, and brings
    Untoward words, scarce loosen’d from the things. Thomas Creech.

    Some clergymen hold down their heads within an inch of the cushion; which, besides the untoward manner, hinders them from making the best advantage of their voice. Jonathan Swift.

ChatGPT

  1. untoward

    Untoward refers to something that is unfavorable, inappropriate, inconvenient, unexpected or difficult to manage. It typically relates to events or behavior that cause trouble or carry negative connotations.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Untoward

    toward

  2. Untowardadjective

    froward; perverse

  3. Untowardadjective

    awkward; ungraceful

  4. Untowardadjective

    inconvenient; troublesome; vexatious; unlucky; unfortunate; as, an untoward wind or accident

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Untoward

    un-tō′ard, adj. not easily guided: froward: awkward: inconvenient—also Untō′wardly.—n. Untō′wardliness.—adv. Untō′wardly.—n. Untō′wardness.

Anagrams for untoward »

  1. drawn out

  2. drawn-out

  3. outdrawn

How to pronounce untoward?

How to say untoward in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of untoward in Chaldean Numerology is: 8

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of untoward in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Examples of untoward in a Sentence

  1. Culture Minister Lina Mendoni:

    Motivated by financial gain, publicity and self promotion, Elgin deployed illegal and untoward measures to extract from Greece the Sculptures of the Parthenon and a plethora of other antiquities in a blatant act of serial theft.

  2. Red Bull:

    When something like that happens, there's going to be speculation but to me it just looked like a racing accident, kimi's not that kind of driver. I'd be amazed if there was anything untoward behind it.

  3. Yanzhong Huang:

    The Party wants to make sure nothing untoward, such as a major outbreak, could potentially threaten social stability, shadow the leadership transition process -- and not to mention tarnish Xi's personal leadership credibility.

  4. David Mitrani:

    E Street Group provides multiple different services to Ilhan for Congress under an arms-length contract fundraising, digital advertising and the like, as a part of those services, the principals of E Street Group travel around the country fundraising for the Congresswoman. There is nothing untoward about this, nor anything illegal about it and the complaint even misstates the law on travel reimbursements (as it is not required for payments to vendors, only for payments specifically to individuals).

  5. Charlotte Guttridge:

    Throughout the trip, Otto behaved as a typical tourist - taking pictures, enjoying himself. We had no indication that anything untoward had happened until the airport.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

untoward#10000#79668#100000

Translations for untoward

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • صعب المراسArabic
  • genstridigeDanish
  • desfavorable, desventajoso, problemático, impropio, adversoSpanish
  • désavantagieux, irrégulier, ennuyeux, nocif, déplacé, inopportunFrench
  • անվայելուչ, ձախորդ, անբարենպաստ, կամակոր, դժբախտ, անվայել, անպատշաճ, համառ, անհնազանդArmenian
  • onregeld, onbetamelijk, onwelvoeglijk, ongunstig, schadelijk, vervelendDutch
  • ufinNorwegian
  • неблагоприятныйRussian
  • nevhodnýSlovak

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"untoward." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 26 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/untoward>.

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