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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

Examples 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 The many examples of personal incompetence in rich industrial democracies generated the thesis that such countries had become ungovernable. Harold James, Foreign Affairs, 20 Apr. 2021 Waymo’s lovable and ungovernable driverless taxis aren’t playing by the rules again in San Francisco. Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 30 Apr. 2024 Large areas of the north and east of Burkina Faso have become ungovernable since 2018. Nimi Princewill, CNN, 4 Mar. 2024 The Party’s restive far-right flank has already insured that this is basically an ungovernable House. Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ungovernable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungovernable
Adjective
  • Illiberal leaders select their cabinet members in the same way that emperors used to choose the governors of rebellious provinces: What matters most is the appointee’s loyalty and capacity to resist being suborned or co-opted by others.
    Ivan Krastev, The Atlantic, 3 Jan. 2025
  • The news is a huge deal because rebellious Prince Fiyero is the ultimate catch for the students and Galinda.
    Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, 27 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Despite a long and uncontrollable process of detaching herself from family, friends, and even her husband, she was told by doctors that everything was fine.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
  • The uncontrollable blaze, which continued to consume buildings, has wound up burning more than 11,000 acres between the two beach towns.
    Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Our Most Popular Stories of 2024 The artifacts of ancient technologies, the allure of rebel science, and many, many ghosts.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 8 Jan. 2025
  • Washington is now taking cautious steps to navigate its approach to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the main rebel faction that took down the government in Damascus.
    Natasha Frost, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • And the disaster has exposed holes in the region's preparations to reduce the chances of fires getting so unmanageable and to keep communities safer.
    Lauren Sommer, NPR, 15 Jan. 2025
  • But the situation is far from hopeless: over the long term the demographic and economic strains of the war will prove unmanageable for the Kremlin, forcing hard choices.
    John Mac Ghlionn, Newsweek, 14 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Weakened, isolated but defiant: Hamas faces a crossroads with the cease-fire.
    Patrick Kingsley, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Yoon has remained defiant in the face of the investigations and an impeachment trial underway by one of the country’s highest courts.
    Gawon Bae, CNN, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The stubborn machine has won, and politicians are, for the most part, just fodder, which means that every politician who has to stand in front of a camera after a tragedy turns into another battle site in an endless culture war.
    Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2025
  • Coaches will tell you of a character who could be grumpy or stubborn, but also of someone who needed faith shown in him.
    The Athletic UK Staff, The Athletic, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The exponential speedup offered by Willow enables these companies to tackle problems previously deemed intractable, fostering innovation and competitive advantage.
    Abdo Riani, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2024
  • Another testament to his value, perhaps, but also to a roster construction issue that has proved intractable as the season has gone along — and has intensified in recent weeks.
    Thomas Drance, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Republicans are preparing to cut taxes, slash spending and slow immigration in a broad agenda that will require unifying an unruly party behind dozens of complicated policy choices.
    Andrew Duehren, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2025
  • In an interview with Bootleg Kev, the veteran lyricist recalled his adventures on the road with Pun and the Terror Squad, who were known for being unruly and willing to settle any altercation, physically or otherwise.
    Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 6 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near ungovernable

Cite this Entry

“Ungovernable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungovernable. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.

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