uncontrolled

adjective

un·​con·​trolled ˌən-kən-ˈtrōld 

: not controlled: such as

a

: happening or done without being stopped, slowed, or controlled

an uncontrolled tantrum

his uncontrolled anger

uncontrolled hypertension

uncontrolled urban sprawl

b

: not conducted or maintained in accordance with fixed rules, restraints, or procedures

results from an uncontrolled study

c

: not regulated by law with regard to possession and use

uncontrolled substances

Synonyms

• rampant
• runaway

Examples of uncontrolled in a Sentence

a tirade filled with uncontrolled anger about what the government was doing

Recent Examples on the Web

Indeed, of the roughly 500 uncontrolled blazes in Canada, 305 were being monitored. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2025

According to the Texas Invasive Species Institute, snail damage in uncontrolled fields can be as high as 100 percent for rice seedlings in the germinating stage. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 6 Aug. 2025

Keep your fingers crossed as this uncontrolled experiment is getting bigger each passing day. —Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025

As of Friday evening, the blaze continues to burn uncontrolled. —Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1535, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for uncontrolled

• ahold
• behold
• billfold
• blindfold
• cajoled
• consoled
• controlled
• cotswold
• eightfold
• enfold
• enrolled
• extolled

Medical Definition

uncontrolled

adjective

un·​con·​trolled ˌən-kən-ˈtrōld 

1

: not being under control

uncontrolled hypertension

2

: not incorporating suitable experimental controls

uncontrolled drug trials