unmanageable

adjective

un·​man·​age·​able ˌən-ˈma-ni-jə-bəl 

: not manageable : difficult or impossible to control or manage

unmanageable hair

an almost unmanageable amount of data

The prisoner became unmanageable.

an unmanageable temper

an unmanageable number of students for one teacher

an unmanageable amount of debt

unmanageability

ˌən-ˌma-ni-jə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

unmanageably

ˌən-ˈma-ni-jə-blē 

adverb

an unmanageably large amount of data

Synonyms of unmanageable

• uncontrollable
• stubborn
• intractable
• unruly
• ungovernable
• difficult
• recalcitrant
• wayward
• out of hand
• rebellious
• refractory
• headstrong
• willful

Examples of unmanageable in a Sentence

an unmanageable dog who had to be returned to the pound

Recent Examples on the Web

Avalo’s report states that current dynamics are making the cotton growing business unmanageable. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 28 Oct. 2026

Symptoms that persist beyond a few weeks or feel unmanageable, Patel-Dunn’s cue to seek professional help rather than tough it out alone. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2026

The first of the 12 steps is admitting that your relationship with your vice has become unmanageable. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

If your debt is unmanageable, check with the National Foundation for Credit Counseling to see if a debt management plan might help. — Jeanne Sahadi, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unmanageable

• manageable