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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective unruly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unruly are headstrong, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, ungovernable, and willful. While all these words 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

When would headstrong be a good substitute for unruly?

While the synonyms headstrong and unruly are close in meaning, headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Where would intractable be a reasonable alternative to unruly?

The meanings of intractable and unruly largely overlap; however, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When can recalcitrant be used instead of unruly?

While in some cases nearly identical to unruly, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

In what contexts can refractory take the place of unruly?

The words refractory and unruly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

When is it sensible to use ungovernable instead of unruly?

The words ungovernable and unruly can be used in similar contexts, but 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

When is willful a more appropriate choice than unruly?

In some situations, the words willful and unruly are roughly equivalent. However, willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of unruly When this occurs, the face of the film’s petite, yet unruly namesake morphs into Ao Bing’s more delicate facial features while in the same body. Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025 The community is pocked by large, unruly trees and overgrown shrubbery where residents see coyotes, bobcats and once even a panther. Natalia Jaramillo, Orlando Sentinel, 2 Mar. 2025 Top Five Cryptocurrency Exchanges By Saul Hudson Newsweek Is A Trust Project Member opinion 0 Crypto's spectacle is once again loud and unruly. Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025 This includes making a claim through their Partner Liability Insurance program, or reporting guests' unruly behavior using their guest misconduct tool. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unruly
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unruly
Adjective
  • In addition, parents who are too strict might even end up with kids who are extra rebellious.
    Taylor Grothe, Parents, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Boon will play Eddie Harrigan, Kevin’s rebellious son.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • But four months after becoming the first Republican in two decades to win the popular vote, Trump faces a new reality of needing to tackle some of the most stubborn challenges awaiting any new president and deliver on his campaign promises to lower prices.
    CNN.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 4 Mar. 2025
  • Like this Fire sign, Drizella is unapologetically stubborn and impatience, believing she is entitled to nothing but the best.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The attacks started this week after reports emerged that Assad loyalists had ambushed and killed members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham – the rebel group that spearheaded the rebellion that ousted the former Syrian leader.
    Mostafa Salem, CNN, 9 Mar. 2025
  • The singer and the songwriter traversed the frontlines of the urban guerrilla war that had consumed the city of Homs by that point, with one half of the city overtaken by regime soldiers and the other half controlled by rebel groups.
    Jawad Rizkallah, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • One in three Americans report carrying unmanageable levels of debt in 2024, according to a recent study from the Financial Health Network.
    Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025
  • Without this foundation, systems and processes will fail—and the resulting manual, frustrating work will become unmanageable.
    Rana Robillard, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • Caleb McCray, 23, a member of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, was charged with manslaughter and felony criminal hazing, according to court records.
    Neil Vigdor, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2025
  • The court said the investigative agency that detained Yoon before his formal arrest didn’t have legal rights to investigate the criminal rebellion charges.
    Hyung-Jin Kim, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Nathan Posner/Anadolu via Getty Images A defiant President Trump defended imposing new tariffs on Canada, China and Mexico – three of the United States' largest and most crucial trading partners – at a joint session of Congress Tuesday night.
    Obed Manuel, NPR, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Trump, in a defiant victory lap speech lasting roughly 100 minutes, credited his predecessor for high inflation and vowed to bring down the costs of everyday goods while previewing further economic pain from new tariffs.
    Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Joking was her version of uncontrollable tears, but Dr. Fenton neither laughed nor pressed to see what was behind Lilian’s inane laughter.
    Yiyun Li, The New Yorker, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Separating benefits from employee health also allows businesses to escape uncontrollable, often double-digit, group plan renewals.
    Jack Hooper, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Fragmented on normal days, the web bordered on anarchic Monday.
    Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The dark chaos of Keef’s beats are obvious, but the Indianapolis producer extracts what’s also really majestic and pretty about them, and the anarchic maximalism of Back From the Dead 2 feels like his main inspiration.
    Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 28 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Unruly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unruly. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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