What does untoward mean?
Untoward means unfavorable, undesirable, inconvenient, or otherwise unsuited to the circumstances. It is used especially for events, developments, consequences, and conditions that make a situation worse or cause difficulty, as in “untoward circumstances” or “the untoward consequences of the decision.” The word can also imply that something is awkward, improper, or not quite what was expected, depending on context. Its formal and literary character distinguishes it from more neutral alternatives such as “bad,” “unpleasant,” or “difficult.” Although “untoward” can overlap with “unfavorable” and “adverse,” it often conveys a sense of complication, inconvenience, or an unfortunate turn of events. In contemporary English, writers may choose it when they want a precise but elevated register. The related adverb “untowardly” is much less common, while “untowardness” is occasionally used as a formal noun for the quality of being adverse or unsuitable.
adjectiveUnfavorable, undesirable, or ill-suited to the circumstances; inconvenient or inappropriate. It may describe developments, events, consequences, or the general course of something.
- Unfavorable or undesirable, especially in terms of consequences, developments, or events.
- Inconvenient, improper, or not suited to a particular purpose or situation.
"The committee met with several untoward complications before reaching a decision."
"An untoward change in the weather forced the expedition to turn back."
"His untoward remarks offended several members of the committee."
A neatly old-fashioned alternative to “unfavorable” that lends a formal, slightly literary tone to bad news and inconvenient circumstances.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does untoward come from?
“Untoward” was formed in the early 17th century from the prefix “un-” and “toward.” It originally conveyed unfitness or inconvenience, and its modern sense of something adverse or undesirable developed over time. The base “toward” is Old English in origin and survives in the English forms “toward” and “towards,” which preserve the same directional element.
Related word forms
How untoward is actually used
“Untoward” is formal and somewhat literary. It is less common in everyday speech than “unfavorable,” “undesirable,” or “inconvenient,” and it often has a slightly old-fashioned or distinctly British literary tone.
Easily confused with untoward
“Toward” expresses direction, as in “toward the river,” whereas “untoward” describes something adverse, undesirable, or unsuitable.