ungovernable

adjective

ˌən-ˈgə-vər-nə-bəl How to pronounce ungovernable (audio)
Definition of ungovernablenext
1
as in rebellious
given to resisting authority or another's control a handful of ungovernable students are disrupting the learning environment for everyone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in uncontrollable
given to resisting control or discipline by others resigned to the fact that my cat is basically is an ungovernable beast with a will of his own

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ungovernable differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of ungovernable are headstrong, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, unruly, and willful. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," 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 could headstrong be used to replace ungovernable?

The words headstrong and ungovernable can be used in similar contexts, but headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

When can intractable be used instead of ungovernable?

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

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

In what contexts can recalcitrant take the place of ungovernable?

The words recalcitrant and ungovernable are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

When is refractory a more appropriate choice than ungovernable?

In some situations, the words refractory and ungovernable are roughly equivalent. However, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

When is it sensible to use unruly instead of ungovernable?

Although the words unruly and ungovernable have much in common, unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

When would willful be a good substitute for ungovernable?

While in some cases nearly identical to ungovernable, 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 ungovernable But that was Kilmer, unpredictable, ungovernable, never boring. —Tom Gliatto, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025 The result is a massively flawed information market and an increasingly ungovernable world. —Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 17 Jan. 2025 In California, the shift toward ungovernable fires in populated places has been under way for several years. —Zoë Schlanger, The Atlantic, 10 Jan. 2025 The colonial government’s fear of ungovernable Black people still lingered, however. —Sasha C. Wells / Made By History, TIME, 26 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for ungovernable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungovernable
  1. rebellious
  2. uncontrollable
  3. rebel
  4. unmanageable
  5. defiant
  6. stubborn
  7. intractable
  8. unruly
Adjective
  • The third book in the Luna Sisters series follows the journey to love for the youngest and most rebellious Luna sister, Gabriela.
    — Mia Sosa, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
  • Meanwhile, Gemma’s niece Cady (McGraw) is now 14, a rebellious teenager living under Gemma’s overprotective rules.
    — Denise Petski, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of rebellious
Adjective
  • The main risk is that these batteries can overheat and go into thermal runaway, a chain reaction that occurs when a lithium-ion cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state—resulting in extremely high temperature, smoke and, ultimately, a fire that is notoriously difficult to put out.
    — Suzanne Rowan Kelleher, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • See a doctor if your bumps do not improve with home care or if the itching is uncontrollable.
    — Carrie Madormo, Health, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of uncontrollable
Adjective
  • Offering a complete range of tailored clothing, leather jackets, footwear, and accessories, JV denotes the taste of high fashion with a rebel aesthetic.
    — Cassell Ferere, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The rebel run is the biggest of them all.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025
Definition of rebel
Adjective
  • Of those, 81% prioritize paying for their kids over paying their debt, and nearly half say that their debt is unmanageable.
    — Jana Pollack, Parents, 11 Sep. 2025
  • But the team has mitigated what would have been an unmanageable $180 million hit by rebalancing sourcing away from China, renegotiating vendor terms and optimizing freight.
    — John Buckingham, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of unmanageable
Adjective
  • But to Hollywood, Pusser’s defiant story was irresistible.
    — Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025
  • A day earlier, at his pre-match news conference, Pochettino sounded defensive and defiant.
    — Henry Bushnell, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
Definition of defiant
Adjective
  • Viewers were quick to point out the hilarity of the dog's stubborn protest, with many suggesting that the dachshund had already claimed permanent rights to the bed.
    — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The stubborn myth that Jews are too safe to be targets is colliding with a painful new reality.
    — Andrew Weinstein, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of stubborn
Adjective
  • The challenges have also stirred strong emotions, as advocates take two different approaches to solving what can seem like an intractable problem.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 11 Sep. 2025
  • Shrewd dealmaker Anutin has been a mainstay in Thai politics throughout years of turmoil, positioning his Bhumjaithai party strategically between warring elites embroiled in an intractable power struggle and guaranteeing its place in a succession of coalition governments.
    — Panarat Thepgumpanat, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025
Definition of intractable
Adjective
  • Food-storage-container management Tame an unruly collection of food storage containers by taking all of them out, matching the lids to their containers, and getting rid of any pieces that are missing their other half or that are damaged.
    — The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Sep. 2025
  • International headlines often paint Haiti as a nation gripped by crisis — from political unrest and economic hardship to uncertainty about the future and unruly crime.
    — Footwear News, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025
Definition of unruly

Browse Nearby Words

ungodly
ungovernable
ungraceful
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ungovernable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungovernable. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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