• Untoward

    Pronunciation

    • UK IPA: /ˌʌn.tʊˈwɔːd/
    • US IPA: /ÊŒnˈtɔɹd/, /ˌʌn.təˈwɔɹd/
    • Rhymes: -ɔː(r)d

    Origin

    - + toward

    Full definition of untoward

    Adjective

    untoward

    1. Unfavourable, adverse, or disadvantageous.
      • 2004, Jan Riordan, Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Chapter 5, No untoward effects were reported; however, this was not a blinded or controlled study.
      • 2007, Steven C. Schachter et al., Behavioral Aspects of Epilepsy: Principles and Practice Chapter 4, However, these guidelines may not be applicable to all individuals with refractory epilepsy, in whom seizure control is not achieved without using polytherapy or resection surgery with their untoward side effects.
    2. Unruly, troublesome.
    3. Unseemly, improper.
      • between 1812 and 1814, w, w:Mansfield Park Chapter 1, She could hardly have made a more untoward choice.
      • 2005, John Martin, Organizational Behaviour and Management, The managing director was very depressed at the news, but realized that trying to prove anything untoward had taken place would be very difficult.

    Synonyms

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