untoward

UK: /ˌʌntəˈwɔː^rd/ US: /ʌnˈtɔrd/ ,(un tôrd′, -tōrd′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•to•ward /ʌnˈtɔrd/   adj. 

1. unfavorable or unfortunate:
   Untoward circumstances forced him into bankruptcy.
2. improper:
   untoward social behavior.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

un•to•ward  (un tôrd′, -tōrd′), adj. 

1. unfavorable or unfortunate:
   Untoward circumstances forced him into bankruptcy.
2. improper:
   untoward social behavior.
3. [Archaic.] froward;
   perverse.

• un-¹ + toward 1520–30

un•to•ward′ly, adv. 
un•to•ward′ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

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. refractory; perverse
6. awkward, ungainly, or uncouth

ˌuntoˈwardness noun