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
• willful
• out of hand
• rebellious
• refractory
• headstrong

Examples of unmanageable in a Sentence

an unmanageable dog who had to be returned to the pound

Recent Examples on the Web

Millions of Americans are drowning in unmanageable debt, after all, and filing for bankruptcy protection can feel like the only available lifeline in many cases. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026

Early legal intervention can help families remain involved and guide decisions before situations become unmanageable. —William Jones, USA Today, 19 Jan. 2026

Explore Hardship Programs If bills or debt payments feel unmanageable, many lenders, credit cards, and utilities offer hardship programs. —Essence, 14 Jan. 2026

Workers said the Louvre had buckled under mass tourism, citing unmanageable crowds, chronic understaffing and deteriorating working conditions. —Thomas Adamson, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1616, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unmanageable

• manageable