1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control
unruly pupils were given detention as a matter of course
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in stubborn
given to resisting control or discipline by others
a camp that was known as a place where unruly youths were given their last chance to shape up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in anarchical
not restrained by or under the control of legal authority
unruly mobs roamed the streets of the capital after the government leaders had fled
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of unruly
He and other attendees were disrupted by unruly, uncivil pro-Palestinian protesters who attempted to take over the meeting to push their agenda.
—
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
And then there’s the annoyance and horror of Why am I being forced to deal with this unruly Eagan, who could die on my watch?
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for unruly
The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 24 Mar. 2025
And then there’s the annoyance and horror of Why am I being forced to deal with this unruly Eagan, who could die on my watch?
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 12 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for unruly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unruly
Adjective
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And if his readership remained informed on his doings, the prince and his supporters didn’t succeed in silencing him and the rest of the rebellious faction.—
Emily Zarevich,
JSTOR Daily,
4 Apr. 2025
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Wearing cowboy boots with shorts is not only a bold stylistic choice but also a practical way to dress for warm weather without giving up the rustic and rebellious touch that the boots bring.—
René Chávez Esparza,
Glamour,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Described by family as larger-than-life in personality and stature, the 6-foot-5-inch Wesley is remembered as a jovial, fiercely stubborn man with a quick wit and passion for advocacy.—
Silas Morgan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 Mar. 2025
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Happy Birthday for Saturday, March 29, 2025: You are opinionated and stubborn.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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President Trump’s military and intelligence leaders inadvertently shared classified military information on a Houthi rebel attack with a magazine editor which was published online.—
Rick Pozniak,
Boston Herald,
1 Apr. 2025
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In the fresh extended footage shown, DiCaprio’s former yippie Bob is seen negotiating with a difficult underground rebel contact who knows the whereabouts of his daughter (played by Chase Infiniti).—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These expenses, which lead to unmanageable debt, can include medical emergencies, natural disasters, and car repairs.—
Víctor Rosario,
Sacbee.com,
28 Mar. 2025
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The federal government, with its millions of employees, has ballooned into an unmanageable monstrosity, consuming trillions of taxpayer dollars while failing at even the most basic functions.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Additionally, financial transactions indicating criminal activity, such as money laundering, contribute to the score.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2025
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Bennett, the attorney, is a former federal prosecutor who served in the office of independent counsel Kenneth Starr from 1995 to 1999, when Starr was conducting a criminal investigation of then-President Bill Clinton.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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More: China defiant, accuses Trump of 'blackmail' over 104% tariff threat: Live updates On Monday, Trump described similar negotiations underway with Japan as world leaders try to convince the U.S. president to roll back his new tariffs on all imports.—
Joey Garrison,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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What To Know Trump has remained defiant despite mounting fears of recession and a plunging stock market.—
John W. Dean,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Common Mental Health Conditions in Men Depression Depression causes disruptive, uncontrollable feelings of sadness and emptiness.—
Mark Gurarie,
Verywell Health,
3 Apr. 2025
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Already, we are haunted by the specters of nuclear warfare and uncontrollable climate change.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The narrative is equally layered, with a thriller’s bones, a satire’s glare, and a comeuppance story’s anarchic spirit.—
The New Yorker,
The New Yorker,
17 Mar. 2025
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Fragmented on normal days, the web bordered on anarchic Monday.—
Jacob Feldman,
Sportico.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unruly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unruly. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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