unmanageable

adjective

un·​man·​age·​able ˌən-ˈma-ni-jə-bəl 

: not manageable : difficult or impossible to control or manage

unmanageable hair

an almost unmanageable amount of data

The prisoner became unmanageable.

an unmanageable temper

an unmanageable number of students for one teacher

an unmanageable amount of debt

unmanageability

ˌən-ˌma-ni-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

unmanageably

ˌən-ˈma-ni-jə-blē 

adverb

an unmanageably large amount of data

Synonyms

• froward
• headstrong
• incontrollable
• intractable
• recalcitrant
• refractory
• uncontrollable
• ungovernable
• unruly
• untoward
• wayward
• willful
• wilful

Examples of unmanageable in a Sentence

an unmanageable dog who had to be returned to the pound

Recent Examples on the Web

The difference was the running game didn't work nearly as well and the defensive front seven got their butts handed back to them and the Titans' mistakes came stacked one after the other instead of spread out throughout the game, creating an unmanageable deficit. —Nick Suss, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

If the status quo is permitted to continue, this heavy debt burden will pass to subsequent generations and will become unmanageable. —Mike Patton, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024

Avoid carrying a balance over, as credit card debt can become unmanageable due to high interest rates. —Kody Boye, Journal Sentinel, 12 Dec. 2024

Getting through a busy terminal with your carry-on luggage is hard enough; factor in a latte and the cargo suddenly becomes unmanageable. —Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above