unruly

adjective

un·​ruly ˌən-ˈrü-lē 

unrulier; unruliest

: not readily ruled, disciplined, or managed

an unruly crowd

a mane of unruly hair

unruliness noun

Synonyms

• rebellious
• rebel
• defiant
• stubborn

Choose the Right Synonym for unruly

unruly, ungovernable, intractable, refractory, recalcitrant, willful, headstrong 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

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

intractable suggests stubborn resistance to guidance or control.

intractable opponents of the hazardous-waste dump

refractory stresses resistance to attempts to manage or to mold.

special schools for refractory children

recalcitrant suggests determined resistance to or defiance of authority.

acts of sabotage by a recalcitrant populace

willful implies an obstinate determination to have one's own way.

a willful disregard for the rights of others

headstrong suggests self-will impatient of restraint, advice, or suggestion.

a headstrong young cavalry officer

Examples of unruly in a Sentence

unruly pupils were given detention as a matter of course

a camp that was known as a place where unruly youths were given their last chance to shape up

Recent Examples on the Web

But in other parts of the country, unruly and often unsupervised kids have led to some breweries banning little ones from their spaces entirely or during certain times, the New York Times reported this summer. —Jordyn Noennig, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Reports of unruly visitor behavior have sparked public complaints and a rise in anti-foreigner sentiment that right-wing politicians have been quick to capitalize on. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

The Owensboro news media and some white onlookers insist that when the lady sheriff didn’t show up to act as executioner, there was anger in the press’s unmet expectations, which then was taken out on the crowd, with the reporters lying about the audience’s unruly behavior. —Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025

The 1964 edition builds on that spirit, but the music is more seductively unruly, and more personal. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 9 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English unreuly, from un- + reuly disciplined, from reule rule

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for unruly

• bernoulli
• lazuli
• unduly
• cooley
• coolly
• cooly
• coulee
• cruelly
• duly
• hooley
• muley
• newly

Kids Definition

unruly

adjective

un·​ruly ˌən-ˈrü-lē 

ˈən-

unrulier; unruliest

: not yielding easily to rule or restriction : uncontrollable

an unruly temper

an unruly horse