untoward
16
8.9
- adjective
- /ˌʌnˈtoʊərd/
- Formal
:
inapropiado
- The family cocktail hour and dinner went off with no untoward incidents that evening.
- untoward event
- untoward complication
- untoward effect
The the, the, the freedom of government from untoward influence by corrupt corporate power.
- The the, the, the freedom of government from untoward influence by corrupt corporate power.
- We as survivors have been told our anger is untoward.
- It doesn't look any way like it's untoward.
- So we drive up to London, everything's looking alright, you know, there's nothing untoward.
- It's not like you said anything untoward and untoward.
- Now, whenever you think of that past event or situation or person that you hurt or did something untoward to just repeat, I forgive myself completely.
Examples
-
I know this is all very untoward, but I would like to request the privilege of speaking to Miss Bennet.
-
There was nothing untoward, nothing I had not heard a thousand times before out here.
Fiction book (1998) -
Has anyone in this room used the system to do anything untoward?
-
There were no complications or untoward events in these first nine patients.
Academic text (1999) -
No untoward noises to disturb you, then?
-
Well, I'm gonna come as your chaperone and make sure nothing untoward happens.
-
The First Lady stared, seeing all; the governor, one seat ahead, appeared unaware of anything untoward.
Fiction book (1991) -
Did nothing untoward happen?
-
There appears to be nothing untoward about the case, but I have to tell you that in all my time at missing persons, I've never seen an effort like this.
-
The family cocktail hour and dinner went off with no untoward incidents that evening.
Synonyms
100
4.1
Not suitable according to normal rules or standards
83
6.0
Harmful to people or things, often making progress difficult
45
4.3
Not wanted and causing upset or trouble
43
6.7
Not acceptable in public because it is offensive or sexual
33
7.8
Not proper or polite for a situation
31
6.7
Causing people to feel offended or want to protest
29
7.2
Something people think is morally wrong or dishonest
15
6.7
Not suitable for a situation or for what people expect
4
8.1
Likely to bring bad luck and make success unlikely
2
3.8
Not wanted or welcome
1
9.2
Not showing good manners in public or formal places
Not proper in dress or behavior in polite company
Something that is not honest or proper and looks suspicious
Antonyms
How Improper
- Literature
43
5.0
100
4.1
- Formal
16
8.9
61
3.3
962
3.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
untoward = toward (opaque) = un + toward
Although formed from the prefix 'un-' plus 'toward', the modern sense 'improper or unfavorable' cannot be derived from 'toward' by standard rules and reflects a sense shift.
Etymology
Untoward comes from un- meaning 'not' and toward, which used to mean 'favorable' or 'in the right direction'. So untoward is like 'not in the right direction' and now describes something 'not right', 'unfavorable', or that causes trouble.