untoward UK /ˌʌn.tʊˈwɔːd/US /ˌʌn.təˈwɔɹd/ adjective3 •Unseemly, improper.She could hardly have made a more untoward choice. — 1814 •Unfavourable, adverse, or disadvantageous.At Tebay however, he began to get the mastery over these untoward conditions, and actually got back a little time up to Shap, after which all was plain sailing. — 1941 •Unruly, troublesome; not easily guided. formsmore untoward · most untoward