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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 But even Jewish-Jewish coalitions have proved ungovernable. Gideon Lewis-Kraus, The New Yorker, 9 Sep. 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for ungovernable 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ungovernable
Adjective
  • The proposals infuriated members of the Freedom Caucus, many of whom had engaged in those kind of rebellious actions over the past two years.
    Emily Brooks, The Hill, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Saturn, the planet of structure and discipline, adds a sense of responsibility while rebellious Uranus, the planet of innovation and change, inspires this Air sign to think outside the box and embrace individual freedom.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Celebrities such as Tina Knowles and Jhené Aiko have shared total losses due to the uncontrollable flames.
    DeMicia Inman, VIBE.com, 10 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
  • The brand thrives on a rebel heart, embracing individuality, audacity, and the freedom to exist beyond conventional boundaries.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Lower shows how the same drive that manifests as ruthlessness in outie Helena becomes rebel fierceness in innie Helly.
    James Poniewozik, New York Times, 16 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
  • But the political chaos provoked by the Dec. 3 martial law declaration is expected to continue, as Yoon and his ruling party supporters remain defiant against the insurrection charges.
    Se Eun Gong, NPR, 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
  • The bigger question is what happens if the economy, and in particular the labor market, weakens while inflation remains stubborn.
    Ben Casselman, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Solve previously intractable problems, such as hyper-personalizing real-time customer experiences.
    Jason Snyder, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025
  • The most intractable questions have also been the most critical: Who will pay for what, and whether the treaty will set mandatory production caps or allow countries to set and abide by their own voluntary targets.
    Max Kim, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The teachers, principal and custodian work together to educate unruly kids while navigating the challenges of an underfunded Philadelphia elementary school.
    Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 21 Jan. 2025
  • The Omaha Police Department eventually set up surveillance outside the home to keep a close eye on the unruly guests, according to the local outlet.
    Raven Brunner, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near ungovernable

Cite this Entry

“Ungovernable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ungovernable. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

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