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

Proposition 4 will shift us from disaster response to disaster prevention before the damage becomes too costly and unmanageable — preventing wildfires, providing safe drinking water for everyone, and protecting our forests, beaches and coasts. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 27 Sep. 2024

Additionally, the soaring prices of childcare have become nearly unmanageable for many families, creating additional financial strain and stress. —Jack Kelly, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

Otherwise, the zoo of applications will grow to an unmanageable cost factor with unfathomable risk. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024

Unionized housekeepers are striking to restore automatic daily room cleanings at major hotel chains, saying they have been saddled with unmanageable workloads or, in many cases, fewer hours and declines in income. —Josh Feldman, NBC News, 1 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above