unruly

adjective

un·​ruly ˌən-ˈrü-lē How to pronounce unruly (audio)
unrulier; unruliest
Synonyms of unrulynext
: not readily ruled, disciplined, or managed
an unruly crowd
a mane of unruly hair
unruliness noun

Synonyms

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Choose the Right Synonym for unruly

unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong mean not submissive to government or control.

unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

ungovernable implies either an escape from control or guidance or a state of being unsubdued and incapable of controlling oneself or being controlled by others.

ungovernable rage

intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Examples of unruly in a Sentence

unruly pupils were given detention as a matter of course a camp that was known as a place where unruly youths were given their last chance to shape up
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Airplanes have always been a hive of unruly behavior, but March has been a doozie. — Maureen O'Hare, CNN, 22 Mar. 2025 According to the Federal Aviation Administration, the agency has investigated more than 2,100 incidents involving unruly passengers on flights. — Salvador Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2025 An investigation is underway after an unruly passenger allegedly attacked another passenger on a Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Los Angeles, the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed. — Stepheny Price, Fox News, 19 Mar. 2025 Last week, about 1.6 unruly passengers were reported for every 10,000 flights. — Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unruly

Word History

Etymology

Middle English unreuly, from un- + reuly disciplined, from reule rule

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unruly was in the 15th century

Rhymes for unruly

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Browse Nearby Words

unruled
unruly
unrumpled
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Cite this Entry

“Unruly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unruly. Accessed 27 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

unruly

adjective
un·​ruly ˌən-ˈrü-lē How to pronounce unruly (audio)
ˈən-
unrulier; unruliest
: not yielding easily to rule or restriction : uncontrollable
an unruly temper
an unruly horse

More from Merriam-Webster on unruly

Nglish: Translation of unruly for Spanish Speakers

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