uncontrollable

adjective

un·​con·​trol·​la·​ble ˌən-kən-ˈtrō-lə-bəl 

1

: incapable of being controlled : ungovernable

a rush of uncontrollable emotions

2

archaic : free from control by a superior power : absolute

uncontrollability

ˌən-kən-ˌtrō-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

uncontrollably

ˌən-kən-ˈtrō-lə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of uncontrollable

• unmanageable
• stubborn
• ungovernable
• incontrollable
• intractable
• unruly
• rebellious
• wayward
• recalcitrant
• willful
• refractory
• out of hand
• headstrong
• difficult
• naughty

Examples of uncontrollable in a Sentence

the uncontrollable child kept throwing tantrums in public and creating scenes

Recent Examples on the Web

To sleep, no more Two scientists who identified the role that a key neuropeptide plays in the uncontrollable sleepiness of narcolepsy were one of three recipients of the prestigious Lasker Awards, announced Thursday. — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 10 Sep. 2026

The engineer abruptly resigned after refusing to contribute to a reckless corporate competition that could ultimately lead to uncontrollable AI. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 9 Sep. 2026

Coxon is far from the first AI researcher to sound the alarm about potential catastrophe from uncontrollable, supercapable AI systems that are always just around the corner. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 9 Sep. 2026

However, those plans were scrapped on August 19 after Link went into an uncontrollable spin. — Sara Hashemi, Popular Science, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for uncontrollable

• controllable
• inconsolable

Kids Definition

uncontrollable

adjective

un·​con·​trol·​la·​ble ˌən-kən-ˈtrō-lə-bəl 

: incapable of being controlled : ungovernable

uncontrollably

-blē 

adverb