UNGOVERNABLE Synonyms: 142 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ungovernable

adjective

ˌən-ˈgə-vər-nə-bəl

Definition of ungovernable next

as in rebellious

given to resisting authority or another's control a handful of ungovernable students are disrupting the learning environment for everyone else

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in uncontrollable

given to resisting control or discipline by others resigned to the fact that my cat is basically is an ungovernable beast with a will of his own

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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