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

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

This cycle can lead to mounting debt that becomes unmanageable. —True Tamplin, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Chelsea have so far appeared pretty much unmanageable in two turbulent years under the co-ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. —Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 15 Aug. 2024

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

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above