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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective unruly differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of unruly are headstrong, intractable, recalcitrant, refractory, ungovernable, and willful. While all these words mean "not submissive to government or control," unruly implies lack of discipline or incapacity for discipline and often connotes waywardness or turbulence of behavior.

unruly children

When would headstrong be a good substitute for unruly?

While the synonyms headstrong and unruly are close in meaning, headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Where would intractable be a reasonable alternative to unruly?

The meanings of intractable and unruly largely overlap; however, intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

When can recalcitrant be used instead of unruly?

While in some cases nearly identical to unruly, recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

In what contexts can refractory take the place of unruly?

The words refractory and unruly are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

When is it sensible to use ungovernable instead of unruly?

The words ungovernable and unruly can be used in similar contexts, but 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 is willful a more appropriate choice than unruly?

In some situations, the words willful and unruly are roughly equivalent. However, willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

Example 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 unruly Since then, though, employees and customers have struggled with unruly and even dangerous behavior in stores. CBS News, 14 Jan. 2025 His main task was to protect the island’s habitat from unruly tourists, who are allowed only on certain paths, part of an effort by Italy’s environment ministry to protect the rare pink sand. Elisabetta Povoledo, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025 The footage of the fan evading security before falling to the ground reinforced Philly fans’ reputation for being unruly and obnoxious. Timothy J. Brown, The Conversation, 10 Jan. 2025 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 See all Example Sentences for unruly 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unruly
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
  • With a rebellious edge, the cocktail is yet another offering in the non-to-low alcohol space from an established brand that is changing how consumers look at a rapidly expanding space.
    Hudson Lindenberger, Forbes, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • 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, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Thanks to its impressive staying power, this eyeliner can be a bit stubborn to remove.
    Siena Gagliano, Allure, 24 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
  • Also there to help is Alonso, whom Rowan has dispatched to pick up the unmanageable Evelyn, with instructions to tell her Cortland is definitely for sure 100 percent not at the house.
    Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 19 Jan. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • We are told that the goal is to deport immigrants who have committed criminal acts.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 Jan. 2025
  • Trump's directive gives all federal agencies a 60-day window to identify civil and criminal authorities available to combat antisemitism and deport anti-Jewish activists who broke any laws.
    Fox News Staff, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • In hindsight the music was invincible: defiant, purposeful, rightfully confident in its breakthroughs.
    Jon Pareles, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025
  • But the former Fox News host struck a defiant tone as support for his confirmation appeared to be in doubt and Mr. Trump stood behind his pick.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 24 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
  • Compared with the recent boom of espionage series subverting the traditionally self-serious genre — Slow Horses’s lovable losers, Black Doves’s anarchic sense of humor, The Day of the Jackal’s soap-opera goofiness — this preoccupation seems damn near old-fashioned.
    Nicholas Quah, Vulture, 16 Jan. 2025
  • His early uploads were crude by today’s standards—some gymnastics tricks, some parkour, and some mildly anarchic silliness (for example, a 2009 clip of Hobson drinking raw eggs).
    Cal Newport, The New Yorker, 8 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near unruly

Cite this Entry

“Unruly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unruly. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on unruly

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